Art Gallery Curator Hired

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Tuesday, 13 May 2014 18:40

Mary Reid, (pictured) was hired as new Director/Curator of the Woodstock Art Gallery last week following an extensive recruitment process.

Woodstock's Mayor is predicting a smooth transition of operations at the Woodstock Art Gallery over the summer.

WOODSTOCK -- Woodstock Mayor Pat Sobeski says fundraising plans for Woodstock Art Gallery remain intact, even with a change at the top.

Sobeski says he's happy with the hiring of Mary Reid who's set to begin heading up the Woodstock Art Gallery as new Director and Curator August 2nd.

He says even though current Director and Curator Sheila Perry will be leaving the post in June, things will move forward as planned.

"Right now we're doing major fundraising because part of the commitment by the Art Gallery and the Curator was that they would raise a significant amount of money to pay for the construction."

During budget deliberations last year, City Council approved spending an additional $400,000 dollars in funding, as requested by Perry to help with costs to reconfigure the $5-million building with the condition that 50 percent would be fundraised within four years, otherwise the gallery's operating budget would not increase.

In making the new hire, Mayor Sobeski acknowledged the contribution of Sheila Perry over the past year -- saying her work as Curator of the Woodstock Art Gallery has continued in helping to make great advances in updating programs, exhibits and policies.

"Sheila's put together a program, it's kind of a unique program which she started on, but then Mary will pick up the program too. So basically the initial fundraising will go toward the expansion of the third floor at the Art Gallery.

Originally from Ontario, Reid has a strong record of cultural service and currently serves as Director and Curator with the School of Art Gallery at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

In addition to her responsibilities with the School of Art Gallery in Winnipeg, Reid played an academic role both at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg as a lecturer on contemporary art, critical writing and curating and museum practices. She has been a member of the University of Manitoba’s Art Collections Committee as well as the gallery's representative in CAMDO, (Canadian Art Museum Director's Organization).

She was Curator of Contemporary Art and Photography at the Winnipeg Art Gallery from 2004 to 2011. Reid was also Curator at the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie from 1999 to 2004 and has an MA in Art History from York University, and a BA in Art History and Ancient Eastern Studies.

Sobeski says the move is as good a fit for Reid as it is for the city going forward.

"She certainly indicated the interest in wanting to come back to Ontario. She was a great candidate and is well known in the industry for her ability to write grants."

Last month, Woodstock City Council also approved a new tenant for the old Gallery location at 447 Hunter Street, approving the lease application for United Way Oxford.

The lease is for 7 years, with two 7 year option renewals. United Way takes possession of the old gallery building on June 1st.