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 (CCGG) is an art gallery in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is the only art gallery in Canada that focuses only on showing and collecting modern Canadian art made from clay, glass, and enamel. About 20,000 people visit the gallery each year.
The idea for a national ceramics gallery started in 1936 with the Canadian Guild of Potters. This group later became Ceramists Canada. The idea became more serious 45 years later. Construction of the gallery began in 1991, and it officially opened in June 1993. The building was designed by Patkau Architects from Vancouver. They even won an award for their design in 1997!
The gallery has more than 900 pieces in its main collection and five different areas where art is shown.
Contents
Building the Gallery
How the Idea Started
In 1981, at a Ceramists Canada meeting, people really wanted to find a permanent home for Canada's best ceramic art. This idea was sparked by a wish to honor Ruth Gowdy McKinley, a Canadian potter who had recently passed away. Later, groups interested in glass art and stained glass joined in. The gallery's plan grew to include glass, stained glass, and enamel artworks too.
Several cities were considered for the gallery, including Calgary, Halifax, and Waterloo. In 1982, Waterloo was chosen because it promised a great location in its uptown area.
Making the Dream Happen
For the next nine years, a small group of volunteers worked hard to plan and raise money for this big project. In 1984, a study confirmed that Canada really needed a national gallery for ceramic arts. This study was supported by the government.
In 1986, a national competition was held for architects. Eight firms from across Canada submitted their designs. John and Patricia Patkau from Vancouver won the competition. They turned an old hockey arena at Caroline and Erb Streets into the beautiful cultural building you see today.
Construction started in 1991, and the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery officially opened its doors on June 19, 1993.
How the Gallery Works
The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery was set up as a non-profit public gallery 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 of the building, starting in 1994.
Funding the Gallery
The gallery gets money from three levels of the Canadian government: city, provincial, and federal. This money helps with daily operations. It comes 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 volunteer board of directors. They guide the Executive Director and the staff. The gallery has six main departments, each with a staff member in charge. These departments include: Curatorial (for art shows), Development (for fundraising), Marketing, Collections Management (for taking care of art), Programming (for events), and the Gallery Shop.
Art Shows and Exhibitions
When the gallery opened in 1993, its main goal was to show art made from glass, clay, or enamel. The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery still focuses on showing modern art in these materials. Since opening, 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 to include installations (art that fills a space), video art, and even art that is temporary or made for specific environments. The gallery has 6,088 square feet of space for exhibitions across five different galleries.
Permanent Art Collections
One of the main goals of the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is to build, manage, and protect its Permanent Collection. This is done following high art museum standards so that people now and in the future can enjoy it. The collection focuses on acquiring art made from clay, glass, and enamel. The main collection currently has over 900 artworks. Since the gallery focuses on modern art, its collection features pieces from the mid-1900s to today.
How the Collection Started
The collection began with a gift of about 200 artworks. This gift formed the first major part of the permanent collection. A mining company called Indusmin, which made silica products, had collected many artworks made from silica over the years. When Indusmin merged with another company, Unimin Canada Ltd., Unimin decided to donate the Indusmin collection to the gallery in 1991. This was a huge help for the new national gallery.
As the gallery grew, its focus for collecting art changed. Now, they often try to get artworks that have been part of the gallery's own exhibitions.
Important Cultural Artworks
In 2008, the gallery received a special "Category 'A'" status from the Canadian government. This means the government trusts the gallery to keep and show artworks that are considered "national treasures" for all Canadians. The gallery is proud to be a guardian of these important cultural works.
Study Collection
The gallery also has a large Study Collection for learning and research. This collection mainly includes everyday or industrial objects like paperweights, bottles, and ceramic molds. Researchers, artists, and academics can touch, feel, and examine these objects. This collection is also used as a base for many of the gallery's educational programs.
Gallery Archives
The Ann Roberts Archival Centre at the gallery holds many historical records. These include personal papers, notebooks, drawings, photos, and other unique items from artists, galleries, and scholars. Researchers can use these archives.
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, trade magazines, 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 regular school programs, after-school activities, and art camps in spring and summer. There are also sessions for teens and families, public art projects for youth, and workshops for adults. Most of these fun programs help people learn about art and understand modern glass, clay, and enamel artworks.
Over 4,000 children take part in school programs based on their curriculum. Popular public programs include the "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 work together on a large, permanent artwork that addresses current art topics and is visible in their community.
See also
- List of art museums
- List of museums in Ontario
