Exhibitions at the Public Art Centre take place in our Gallery ONE, TWO and THREE. Tours are free of charge and can be organized in advance for school and community groups. For more information please see Education Programs.


Online Exhibits

With an evolving collection of more than 1900 works of art, we invite art lovers to browse our online exhibitions.  Many of the selected works are by artists that have been featured in our exhibitions and some works have never been seen yet.

 

Visit online exhibitions

Current Exhibition

Visit Sealed Bid Auction

 


Upcoming Exhibitions

Preservation : Caring for a Collection

Recent Acquisitions

November 21 to December 19, 2020

Gallery One and Two


In over 50 years of its existence the St. Thomas-Elgin Public art Centre has amassed one of the most significant collections of local and regional artworks of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and photographs. From the beginning with the purchase of Clark McDougall’s, Talbot Street 1964, the collection has grown to more than 2000 works today.

During the lockdown brought on by the pandemic, the duty to protect our important collection has occurred behind the scenes. These works are vulnerable to pests, changes in temperature and exposure to light all of which demands constant vigilance. This preservation has been happening in large and small galleries and museums all around the world, in our own community and at the Public Art Centre.

Part of our commitment to preserving a community collection, Preservation : Caring for a Collection, Recent Acquisitions, will feature new works of art included in the permanent collection from 2019-20. The art works, all of which are donations, accentuate the continued importance of collectors and the preservation, in the development of the permanent collection.

We are looking forward to seeing you again at the Public Art Centre and we encourage you to visit all our local museums and cherish every moment of the dedication of our cultural workers.



Past Exhibition

UNMASKED: Portraits from the Collection
August 15 to September 26, 2020

Drawing from a collection of over 1900 works of art, UNMASKED: Portraits from the Public Art Centre’s collection, features  portrait works that explore how artists have chosen to portray themselves and their subjects. Created in all media, from plaster sculpture to oil painting, the works in this exhibition can inspire ourselves to see others with empathy and understanding.

As we are confronted each day with  mandatory mask regulations and social distancing rules many find it  difficult to connect with others.  So, we think this is an opportune time to reassess the significance of self-portraiture and portrait art in relation to our current time in  history. 

The exhibition contains examples of self-portraits, with Dorothy Stevens’, Untitled Self Portrait, c. 1940, that is rarely seen. It also includes works by Mackie Cryderman, Clark McDougall, Bob Bozak, Marion Long, Greg Curnoe, Kathleen Daly,  Gerald Pedros, Robert Reginald Whale, Norval Morrisseau and many more.

UNMASKED is curated by Laura Woermke, curator and Sherri Howard, program director at the Public Art Centre.  The exhibition will also include  self directed educational prompts to further develop your experience and exploration into the world of portraits.


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Miniature Show and Sale

November 14 to December 19, 2020

Gallery Three

A miniature show and sale provides a perfect opportunity for artists and the community! Many people don’t always have the ability or space, to acquire or collect large, more expensive pieces of art from their favourite or new, favourite artist. This show and sale is a really easy, fun way to do both. Whether you’re starting or adding to a collection or purchasing a one-of-a-kind gift for someone on your list this upcoming holiday season, this show has you covered.