Plans to build the city's first “purpose-built” art gallery in Greater Sudbury have been announced, and the gallery itself renamed.
The Franklin Carmichael Art Gallery, named after one of the founding members of the Group of Seven, is expected to open its doors in 2014. It will feature a 14,000 square-foot showroom for permanent collections, national touring exhibitions and will also include studio and teaching space.
“Not since Science North, 25 years ago, has northeastern Ontario seen the development of cultural infrastructure on this scale,” Alan Nursall, board chair of the Art Gallery of Sudbury, stated in a press release.
The Art Gallery of Sudbury has a permanent collection of work valued at more than $3.5 million, but much of it is unable to be displayed because of space limitations. The new building will see more of the gallery's work on display.
Funding from the municipal, provincial and federal governments has lead to the the initial stages of planning. So far, funding has been set aside to establish a conceptual design, site selection and a five-year business plan.
The site of the gallery has yet to be determined.
Financial commitments from the Federal Economic Development Initiative of Northern Ontario, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation have also been made to the project.
Karen Tait-Peacock, the director of the Art Gallery of Sudbury, said since Sudbury was a “source of inspiration” for Franklin Carmichael, it's “a natural fit” that a gallery recognizing him be built here.
“Everyone involved recognizes this is a once-in-a-life opportunity to add a landmark cultural tourism attraction that honours, preserves and celebrates the area's outstanding Group of Seven heritage,” she said.
A framed watercolour painting by Carmichael has been donated to the gallery by the Carmichael family.
