March 7 to September 3, 2020
Opening Reception | Saturday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m.
The Art Gallery of Northumberland (AGN) celebrates 60 years in 2020. We are honouring this milestone with an exhibition featuring some unseen collection treasures, familiar classics and predictable favourites. 60 Years: An Anniversary, presented in the main gallery, celebrates the diverse breadth of the collection which now exceeds 1,000 works of art. After conducting a full collection audit last summer, it became apparent and always present the juxtaposition of the old and the new, a sense of history linked with the urgency and instant gratification of modernity.
The majority of the works in the collection have been donated over the past 60 years. Donors and artists have generously shared and gifted their works to amass this awe-inspiring collection. Occasionally, the AGN purchased works through an acquisition fund or through granting opportunities, for example, the work featured above by local artist Paavo Airola was the first purchase by the AGN in 1961. Cobourg and Northumberland County continue to balance a rich cultural past with artists who create new and exciting interpretations of the visual bounty of the County, and we are thrilled to be able to showcase some of these works.
60 Years: An Anniversary provides us with an opportunity to pause, reflect and contemplate works of art that continue to advance visitor engagement. Be sure to join us for the opening reception on Saturday, 7 March for a closer look at our masterworks!
