The Durham West Arts Centre is a 'hub' organization working to establish links with artists, arts groups and arts lovers. We host exhibitions, activities and events at the Centre as attractors. We want to meet and talk to the groups and individuals who are willing to help build the infrastructure for a permanent arts centre in Ajax-Pickering.
There is a decade long history of those working towards a permanent arts centre in Ajax-Pickering. Over the years, many individuals and groups went forward to municipal councils lobbying for an arts facility. We thank those individuals and groups for lighting the way. Judge David Stone is one of the earliest advocates for a permanent home of the arts and he bridges to the excellent leadership of Durham West Arts Centre's first chair, Edward Falkenberg, John Sabean vice-chair and to a dedicated Board of Directors. Thanks to this group and its friends, we have a two year window of opportunity to demonstrate that Ajax and Pickering do indeed need a permanent arts facility. Thanks as well to the Trillium Foundation, the Town of Ajax and the City of Pickering for enabling the two year pilot.
Things that need to be done in two years
Two years is a very short time to:
The above list would seem insurmountable were it not for the fact that in the past 8 months incredible progress has been made towards these goals.
We set up and equipped three offices (one used by the PineRidge Arts Council; one partially used by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority), a terrace with a stage and two gallery spaces. We are in the process of upgrading security and climate control to be able to accept loans from art institutions such as the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery in Owen Sound. Although there are ongoing facilities issues, the basics (except for hot water) have been accomplished.
We've shown the works of 85+ artists during four exhibitions that have been seen by approx. 2,500 individuals*: The Student Show featured works from the 8 secondary schools in Ajax-Pickering with guest artists from Glengrove Public School; the First Juried Photography Show showed approximately 50 works from 85 entrants---it also featured the works of local prize winning photojournalists. Size 8+ highlighted high-profile local and provincial artists. We are currently showing the very popular Franklin the Turtle and the Illustrations of Brenda Clark. The Community Readathon associated with this show brought the news of the Durham West Arts Centre into 9,000 homes. The highly visible book signing with Brenda Clark at the Pickering Town Centre with at least 300 visitors, our excellent website, created by Kai Exos of Metamorphi Media, which now averages 7,500 hits a month and the great press we've had thanks to the Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser (which covered the Readathon regionally) has ensured that the Durham West Arts Centre has been introduced to at least 20,000 people since April 2004. Now that's building a strong public profile.