The Director of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound is heading west.
Stuart Reid tells Bayshore Broadcasting News he’s accepted a job as executive director of the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Reid says while he loves Owen Sound and will continue to think of it as his home base, he’s always had an interest in living and working out west.
Reid says Regina intrigues him very much, as the community has always been a fertile bed for artists.
He’s also excited about the area’s large aboriginal population and the geography of the prairies.
Reid has worked at the Tom Thomson Gallery for 8 and a half years and says highlights include additions to the permanent collection, which in the last year alone have totalled over a million dollars.
Reid also says he’s proud of last year’s audience development and rebranding project, which gave the gallery a new look and marketing vehicles.
And of course there are exhibits that stand out – Reid mentions the John Hartman exhibition ‘Cities’ that is still touring Canada and the ‘Limestone Barrens’ project.
Reid feels he’s leaving on a high point in the gallery’s history and his staff are well positioned as they have just completed the next 5 year strategic plan – another Reid initiative.
He says the gallery is now at the place to maintain excellence rather than strive for it.
The Board of Directors is putting out a national call for Reid’s replacement.
He is moving to Regina in May, with his first day at his new job scheduled for June 1st.
The MacKenzie Art Gallery is a 100-thousand square foot facility with a 170-seat theatre, gift shop, state of the art collection facilities, and a large education centre.