Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery facts for kids
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| Established | June 1993 |
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| Location | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Art Museum |
| Collection size | 1,200 |
| Visitors | 25,000 |
The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery (often called CCGG) is an art gallery in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It's the only art gallery in Canada that focuses only on modern Canadian art made from clay, glass, and enamel (a type of glass melted onto metal). About 20,000 people visit the gallery each year.
The idea for a national gallery started way back in 1936 with a group called the Canadian Guild of Potters. This group later became Ceramists Canada. It took many years for the idea to become real. Construction of the gallery began in 1991, and the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery officially opened its doors in June 1993. The building was designed by Patkau Architects, who won an award for their design in 1997.
The gallery has a collection of over 900 art pieces. It also has five different areas where art is shown.
Contents
Building the Gallery
How the Idea Started
In 1981, people involved with Ceramists Canada decided it was time to find a permanent home for Canada's best clay artworks. They wanted to honor the memory of a Canadian potter named Ruth Gowdy McKinley. Later, groups interested in glass art also joined in. This made the gallery's plan bigger, including not just clay, but also glass and enamel art.
Several cities were considered for the gallery's home. These included Calgary, Halifax, and Victoria. But Waterloo was chosen in 1982. This was because Waterloo promised a great location in the city center.
For the next nine years, a team of volunteers worked hard. They planned everything and raised money for this big project. A study in 1984, supported by the government, confirmed that Canada needed a national gallery for ceramic arts.
Designing and Building
In October 1986, a national competition was held for architects. Eight companies from across Canada submitted their designs. John and Patricia Patkau from Vancouver won the competition. They transformed an old hockey arena at Caroline and Erb Streets into the beautiful gallery building you see today.
Construction started in 1991. The gallery officially welcomed its first visitors on June 19, 1993.
How the Gallery Works
The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery became a non-profit organization in 1982. This means it's a charity. The City of Waterloo owns and takes care of the gallery building. The gallery has a 50-year agreement to be the main tenant in the building, which started in 1994.
Funding the Gallery
The gallery gets money from different levels of the Canadian government. This includes funding from the city, province, and federal government. These funds come from groups like the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. The gallery also gets money from community support and from things like its gift shop.
Running the Gallery
The Clay & Glass Gallery is overseen by a group of volunteers called the board of directors. They guide the Executive Director and the staff. The gallery has six main departments. Each department is managed by a staff member. These departments handle things like choosing art for shows, fundraising, marketing, and managing the art collection.
Art Shows and Exhibitions
The gallery opened in 1993 to show art made from glass, clay, and enamel. The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery's main goal is to display modern art in these materials. Since it opened, the gallery has hosted over 178 exhibitions. These shows have featured art from artists in 25 different countries.
Over time, the types of art shown have grown. They now include art installations, video art, and even art that interacts with the environment. The gallery has a large space for exhibitions, about 6,088 square feet. This space is divided into five different galleries. Each gallery has a special name, like the Keith & Winifred Shantz Gallery.
Art Collections
One of the main goals of the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is to build and care for its Permanent Collection. This collection is managed to high art museum standards. This ensures that people now and in the future can enjoy the art. The collection focuses on acquiring art made from clay, glass, and enamel. The main collection currently has over 900 pieces. The gallery focuses on art from the mid-20th century to today.
The collection started with a gift of about 200 art pieces. This gift was the first big group of artworks for the permanent collection. A company called Indusmin, which supplied materials for glass, was a big supporter. They had collected many artworks made from silica (a main ingredient in glass). When Indusmin merged with another company, Unimin Canada Ltd., Unimin decided to donate this large collection to the gallery in 1991.
As the gallery grew, its focus for collecting art changed. The policy gradually shifted to focus more on modern art. Now, the gallery often tries to acquire art that has been shown in its own exhibitions.
National Treasures
In 2008, the gallery received a special status from the Canadian government. This means the government trusts the gallery to keep and care for artworks that are considered national treasures. These artworks are important to Canada's culture. The gallery is proud to be a guardian of these important works for all Canadians.
Study Collection
The gallery also has a special Study Collection. This collection is used for education and research. It includes everyday objects made of clay or glass, like paperweights, bottles, and old molds. Researchers and artists can touch and examine these objects. This collection is also used to teach visitors about art and materials.
Archives
The Ann Roberts Archival Centre at the gallery holds many historical documents. These include personal papers, notebooks, drawings, and photographs from artists, galleries, and scholars. Researchers can use these archives to learn more about art and artists.
Library
The Sinclair Family Research Library is Canada's top library for the art and history of glass and ceramics. It has many exhibition catalogs and books about these art forms. It also has slides of the collection and educational movies. The library is open to students, artists, and the public by appointment.
Programs for Visitors
The gallery offers many educational programs. These include programs for schools and after-school activities. They also have art camps in the spring and summer. There are special sessions for teens and families, and workshops for adults. These programs help people learn about and enjoy modern glass, clay, and enamel art.
Over 4,000 children take part in school programs each year. Other public programs include the popular "Play with Clay" activity and public talks. The gallery has also completed four Youth Public Art Projects. These projects gave local high school students a chance to create large artworks for their community.
See also
- List of art museums
- List of museums in Ontario
