Exhibitions
Collective Memory: 50 Years of Collecting
January 25 - April 5, 2025
For five decades, Grimsby Public Art Gallery has been a cornerstone of the region’s artistic and cultural identity. Collective Memory surveys the remarkable journey of building GPAGs permanent collection, a testament to the vision and dedication of artists, directors, curators, donors, and volunteers who have all had a hand in shaping its legacy. From foundational acquisitions to recent treasures, the exhibition reflects on the shared efforts and enduring passion of building and preserving a renowned collection for the community it serves.
Artworks often reflect the era in which they were created, yet also have an ability to transcend time, adapting and gathering different meanings with each viewer — serving as both symbols of their origins and their ever-evolving interpretation. In celebration of GPAGs 50th anniversary, this exhibition brings together key pieces from the permanent collection and features 80 works by over 70 artists, including: Carl Beam, Otto Beyer, John Davies, Suzy Lake, Dennis Lukas, Kim Ondaatje, Jacques Schrygens, Tony Urquhart, and Andy Warhol. Together, these works embody not only artistic excellence but also the spirit of collaboration and community, forged over time. The artworks exhibited for Collective Memory were selected by GPAG staff. Coloured markers alongside a variety of the works on display indicate a staff selection. Visitors can learn more about staff selections and their thinking behind these choices through the accompanying catalogue.
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GPAG first opened its doors in 1975 in the lower level of the Carnegie building, next door to the Gallery’s current location. Founded by Director/Curator Bill Poole, GPAG quickly became an artistic hub supporting local and emerging artists, producing meaningful exhibitions, and engaging with the community through a variety of programs and special events. In 2004, the gallery moved to its current location which included a specialized vault for the permanent collection. Since 1975, GPAG has amassed over 2,500 works of both contemporary and historic Canadian pieces with special focus on printmaking, works on paper, book arts and fine craft, and art that addresses human interactions with the environment.
Community Exhibition Space (CES)
GPAG presents the community exhibition space as an opportunity to showcase regional talent and local community art exhibitions to the public in the main lobby.
Obscure
January 31 - April 5, 2025
The dream of unrestricted access to art and the advent of the Internet faces a new challenge.
Widespread digital access to art and images has been achieved. Through years of human labour in digitization projects at global art institutions combined with a growing necessity for artists to gain commercial success with online marketing, we are coming as close as we have perhaps ever been to utopian ideals of global community, shared knowledge, and borderless creative commons. However, this digital world’s continued evolution includes the construction and inclusion of Artificial Intelligence as a commonplace tool that threatens our personal privacy and societal development. AI pulls from this accessible net of visual culture to generate imagined scenes using both images of and from users. With little control over how an artist’s work or your own personal information will be used algorithmically, uploading ourselves to the Cloud has become increasingly fraught.
Obscure means many things. Firstly, it defines an action of concealment or keeping from being seen. As well, it describes something cryptic, mysterious, or unknown. While finally it creates a conundrum as the prospect of leaving this world in obscurity is the ultimate fear of an artist, however, without strict governance on individual digital freedoms, obscurity could be the antithetical solution to preserving artistic authorship as the thin veil between the digital and physical realms becomes thinner.
Curated by Sarah Oatley
Image: Stan Repar, Self Protection, 1998, acrylic on canvas
Cross Pollination
Clear Eyes Collective
Sept 23, 2023 - Summer 2025
True community is inclusive and nurtures everyone, providing a safe space for all.
Cross Pollination is a commissioned mural by Clear Eyes Collective for the exterior outdoor exhibition platform of the Grimsby Public Art Gallery and Library. Over the course of the summer, the collective collaborated with the community by asking them to generate key words to inspire the artistic development and content of the mural. Some words were reflective of the physical characteristics of the Town of Grimsby; its connection with agriculture, proximity to Lake Ontario, and the Niagara escarpment. Others looked to honor less tangible connections like culture, multiculturalism, and LGBTQ2S+ allyship. After reviewing each prompt, and drawing from their own connection to the area, the collective refined their final design, culminating in Cross Polination, which was live painted onsite during the second annual Grimsby Arts Walk, September 23, 2023.
Curated by Caitlin Sutherland
CLEAR EYES COLLECTIVE is a mural crew based out of Hamilton, Ontario made up of members Darian Poisson, Adam Bates and Josh Kellett. Their mission is to integrate the mysterious power of art into the plain cityscape, transforming ordinary spaces into an immersive gallery. Their approach to public art has always been rooted in creating vibrant visual environments that connect and uplift the community at large.
Clear Eyes Collective have been painting large-scale murals as a team for 10 years, and in that time they have had the opportunity to partner with local businesses, festivals, corporations and different municipalities and cities. They take tremendous care to make sure their designs are tailored to each project, while always maintaining a vibrant and bold style that naturally comes out of collaboration.
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