"To date, we have raised over $4,646,000 of the $6 million we need to undertake the Agnes Etherington Art Centre's long awaited expansion. In thanking all of our generous supporters, we are reminded of that same civic spirit and love of art that compelled Agnes Etherington to dedicate much of her life to establishing this gallery, a legacy that continues to enrich the lives of Kingstonians, Queen's students, and all visitors to the Art Centre, and places Kingston on the cultural map regionally, nationally and internationally," says Margo Bindhardt, national chairman of Queen's Art Is A Window capital campaign launched officially today.
The campaign's honorary co-chairs are Queen's chancellor emeritus, Dr. Agnes Benidickson and Queen's long-time benefactors, Drs. Alfred and Isabel Bader. "What began as one woman's vision has evolved into a community endeavour over the past four decades that Kingstonians, Canadians, Queen's alumni and its many supporters can be extremely proud of," added Bindhardt. "Today, when funding for the arts and culture in Canada has declined significantly overall, the commitment of all who have supported the gallery in the past and most especially our present fund- raising campaign stands as a testament to the unifying force that art plays in everyone's life and the contribution it makes to the community as a whole." The campaign's launch, held concurrent with the opening of the Wisdom, Knowledge and Magic: The Image of the Scholar in 17th-Century Dutch Art exhibition at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, was the occasion for celebrating in particular, major campaign gifts pledged by some of Queen's staunchest supporters. Not only have Queen's alumnus, Dr. Alfred Bader and his wife, Dr. Isabel Bader promised their magnificent $40-million Cdn. collection of Dutch 17th-century paintings to the gallery, but they also contributed $2 million U.S. towards the renovation and expansion costs. Seventeen of the paintings from their collection are featured in Wisdom, Knowledge and Magic, which will be displayed at the gallery until April 13, 1997. Other major gifts towards the gallery's renovation include a donation of $500,000 U.S. made by their son, Daniel Bader, with $250,000 each donated by the Sam and Ayala Zacks Foundation and the Gallery Association. The $500,000 project grant from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage's Museum Assistance Program, previously announced by M.P. Peter Milliken, is separate from the $4,646,000 raised to date from the private sector. Dedicated towards the costs of the gallery's upgrade, the Government of Canada's grant played a key role in helping Queen's secure the Bader collection for the Art Centre and making it available to all Canadians, since Harvard University, among other international institutions, had been vying for it.
"We are very pleased to be on target for our goal of $6 million at the start of our public appeal," says Bindhardt. "But to keep the momentum going, we need everyone who has ever enjoyed any of the Art Centre's exhibitions or public art events, lectures, symposia, concerts, films, gallery tours, art in the schools program, annual decorative arts weekends, seniors' afternoon salons, studio art classes and artist's workshops, or community-organized social events to make a donation to their gallery. With their support, we will reach our target and achieve our ultimate goal of preserving the Art Centre's heritage, guaranteeing it a strong future for generations to come." The Art Centre's expansion and renovation will increase the gallery's overall size to 38,000 gross square feet, while preserving the original 1879 house donated by Agnes Etherington. The project's architects are the Kingston firm of Shoalts and Zaback with the Toronto firm of A.J. Diamond, Donald Schmitt and Company. Gerry Shoalts is project architect, with Don Schmitt as principal architect. Design plans include new climate-controlled art exhibition and storage spaces, more accessible public facilities and a major upgrade of the Centre's mechanical and electrical systems to meet national environmental standards for preserving art collections and displaying major travelling exhibitions. Since it opened in 1957, the Art Centre has provided the Kingston community and Southeastern Ontario region with access to an arts centre now of international calibre, while providing stewardship for the City of Kingston's own extensive art collection. From the beginning, it has flourished because of its academic ties and its active partnership with the community at large.
The Art Centre serves as a focal point for promoting the region's cultural heritage, with over 65 organizations from Belleville to Brockville using its facilities for their activities on a regular basis. Its own Gallery Association now boasts over 1,000 members, with representatives from across Eastern Ontario sitting on its Advisory Board. Last year alone, more than 3,000 school children toured the exhibits and over 7,500 people participated in public education programs. And there are waiting lists for more! The Art Centre's expansion will strengthen one of Kingston's most important cultural and economic resources. Already a major tourist attraction, the Centre expects to double its number of annual visitors from 27,000 presently to over 50,000 in the future, as a result of its expanded facilities. "Communities are known for the vitality of their public institutions. Queen's Art Centre is a major contributor to the region's cultural animation and civic pride," says Bindhardt. Spokespersons: Mrs. Margo Bindhardt, National Chairman, Art Is A Window Campaign (905) 895-8348; Dr. David J. McTavish, Director, Agnes Etherington Art Centre (613) 545-2190 ext. 7055; Dr. Agnes Benidickson, Honorary Co-chair, Art Is A Window Campaign, and Chancellor Emeritus, Queen's University (613) 733-6462 Media contact: Mary Kelly, Communications Team Leader, University Communications (613) 545-6000 ext. 4037
