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    AFTER SIX YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMMING, EVANS CONTEMPORARY IS SAD TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT WILL BE SHUTTING ITS DOORS ON ITS PHYSICAL GALLERY SPACE

     

     

     

     

     

    After much consideration, we have come to a difficult decision that Evans Contemporary will be closing its physical gallery space effective January 1st. The institute’s sister galleries - Star X, and Coeur Nouveau will also be closing and moving out of the Commerce Building in downtown Peterborough. Along with this news, we announce that Evans Contemporary and the Ad Hoc Arts Committee will cease to organize and present the First Friday Art Crawl.

     

    The success of the gallery, which includes an overwhelming response to its exhibitions, openings, art crawls, and performances have shown the value, and importance of such an institute. With this growth, and the enthusiastic interest in the Evans Contemporary group of galleries, it has become increasingly difficult to continue to provide the level of programming, and presentation that is required without continuous support, and is not sustainable in its current configuration. The cultural growth in the community that was central to this cluster of galleries has shown that there is a need for an affordable, autonomous arts centre, which is not tied to the complexities of development, and gentrification in the city of Peterborough.

     

    It has been extremely gratifying to see diverse groups of people coming to the downtown core every month to appreciate art. The collection of three galleries – Evans Contemporary, Star X and Coeur Nouveau – alongside other studios in the Commerce building which have opened their doors, have provided opportunities for local artists to exhibit and have brought an array of international artists to Peterborough. The businesses that embraced the First Friday Art Crawl indicated that it increased their business and created a positive brand for our downtown, and our city. It has generated an interest and awareness of Peterborough’s cultural community and has shown the benefit, and the importance of these spaces in our community.

     

    Unfortunately, we believe that continuing to operate galleries in the Commerce Building and mounting the First Friday Art Crawl presents an ethical dilemma - by staying in place we are in a sense enabling the gentrification of Peterborough through the use, and abuse of the arts. We fear the potential damage which First Fridays could cause, and are aware of its conceivable move in the direction of the art crawl of Hamilton, that is to say, the exploitation of art in order to focus on commerce.

     

    By closing our physical space, and taking a hiatus from the First Friday Art Crawl, we aim to develop new approaches to creating a sustainable, artist-driven focus on contemporary art presentation for this region. In order to strengthen the art scene in Peterborough, Evans Contemporary and the Ad Hoc Art Committee will continue to lobby for an affordable, autonomous space for artistic creation and presentation for visual artists, and a dedicated performance space for musicians. We will build upon the gallery’s reputation as an agent of social change, and a cultural community leader. We will continue to advocate for the arts in Peterborough through the mandate of the Ad Hoc manifesto. We will continue to resist the abuse, and neglect of cultural capital, and the sensitive, and alarming trend of gentrification through the use, and at the expense of the arts.

     

    In conclusion, we would like to thank our public for their love and attention to the arts over the past six years. We hope to see you at future openings and events.

     

    We urge you to write to your town councillors in order to raise any concerns about these closures, and the importance, and need for the arts in the downtown core.

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    Paolo Fortin

    Director

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Evans Contemporary would like to thank all the artists, writers, and musicians who have exhibited and performed at the gallery over the past six years. The sharing of your talents, and work with us has been a truly momentous, and generous gift.

     

    Thank you.

     

     

     

     

    VISUAL ARTISTS

     

     

    JENINE MARSH

    JOHN ABRAMS

    TASHA DOREMUS

    ANDREAS RUTKAUSKAS

    JESSICA AUER

    ISAK APPLIN

    STEPHANIE ROZENE

    CHRISTOPHER PATCH

    SANNE DE WILDE

    KIM NEUDORF

    JANINE MIEDZIK

    JEANIE RIDDLE

    RICK LEONG

    LAURA MADERA

    THERESA GANZ

    JEN AITKEN

    WENDY TRUSLER

    TARA AZZOPARDI

    SARA JANE GORLITZ

    WILLIAM JOEL DAVENPORT

    MACKENZIE KELLY-FRÈRE

    KATIE LYLE

    ANN JAEGER

    BRIAN RIDEOUT

    SOFT TURNS

    JANNE LAINE

    WILLIAM CARROLL

    SHELLEY ADLER

    MAMORU TSUKADA

    JUDE GRIEBEL

    PETER BARRON

    CATHERINE TELFORD-KEOGH

    LAURA FINDLAY

    OPEN CLUSTER CR-50

    DAVID MILLER

    NICOLAS FLEMING

    SIMON BENEDICT

    MICHAEL GREEN

    JAMIE MACAULAY

     

     

     

     

    MUSICIANS/BANDS

     

     

    JOYFUL JOYFUL

    THE ODESSA

    POLY TRAP SUPER SIX

    HYMNS 57

    THE LONELY PARADE

    PRIORS

    STACEY GREEN JUMPS

    GET OFF THE COP

    FLESH RAG

    BEEF BOYS

    OLIAS

    OBLIQUE

    COLD EYE

    STILLNESS AND STARS

    WALRUS

    MARY KATE EDWARDS

    BLIZZARD BABIES

    NO ALOHA

    TEN BOY SUMMER

    BELLY FLOP

    CROSS DOG

    GARBAGEFACE

    ELMS

    {AN} EeL

    HAYLEY RAYGUN

    MONOBLOCK & SUNN

    FLEETWOOD MAC SAUCE

    JACK MOVES

    GRAY AREA

    PERSONAL BEST

    ROCK CAMP FOR GIRLS*

    PEACHYKINE

    CREEPING JENNY

    PANTAYO

    SLUTMOTHER

    LIGHT ORGAN

    PERFECT HEALTH

    STILLNESS AND STARS

    PEOPLE YOU MEET OUTSIDE OF BARS

    SUE NEWBERRY

    TAI TIMBERS

    NIALL

    MILTON ALICE

    PATRICK NININGER

    BENETT BEDOUKIAN

    ERIKA NININGER

    DOPEWOLF

    WAX MANNEQUIN

    HELLENICA

    RENDERS

    CLAIRE DE LA LOPA

    DEATH BY ART SCHOOL

    STEELBURNER

    EARLYBIRD

    PAPER SHAKERS

    STANDPARTNERS

    TIGER BOMB

    RHYS CLIMENHAGE

    LUNA LI

    SPARKLESAURUS

    DOESN’TMATTERITSOK

    EYEDA SOPHIA & MAXHOLE

    LAL

    MIKE MURLEY

    JAZZMANIA

    PUPPET

    PAULABULUS

    REIGN BOI

    ELENA KAPELERIS

    TELEVISION RD.

    THE WATCHED POTS

    ROB HAILMAN

    CODY

    NICK PROCYSHYN AND THE BAD MILK

    CAM MACLEAN

    BRIDGET FOLEY

    LAUREN PINEO

    BODYHORRORGENRE

    ALL GIRL BAND

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Evans Contemporary would like to thank the following people who helped to develop the Evans Contemporary Music series, and help turn the gallery into such an important space for musical performance.

     

     

    KAROL ORZECHOWSKI

    ERIK CULP

    EM MINTHORN

    SARA O. SHAHSAVARI

    B.P. HUGHES

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Evans Contemporary would like to thank the numerous volunteers whose hard work and dedication have helped to keep the gallery operational over the past six years.

     

     

     

    ANN JAGER

    SARAH GIBEAULT

    LAURIE WESTAWAY

    LAUREN TRAGENZA

    KATE LIGHTIZER

    JUSTIN MILLION

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Evans Contemporary would like to thank all of its benefactors, patrons, donors, and supporters, who have contributed to the creation, and functioning of the gallery over the past six years.

     

     

     

     

    DR. BRIAN LINDSAY

    GENERATION SOLAR

    THE PUBLICAN HOUSE BREWERY

    CM CONSULTING

    LE PETIT BAR

    ST. VERONUS

    WHATLEY TECHNICAL SUPPLIES INC.

    YELLOW DATA CLARITY

    KAREN PAGE & DON SKUCE

    KIERAN ANDREWS & DEE HUTCHISON

    DIMITRI PAPATHEODOROU

    PURELY GREAT

    RIVER CURRENT STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

    MARCEL FORTIN

    CAROL JACKSON MASONRY RESTORATION

    PETER LAFLEUR

    BERNICE FORTIN

    DIERDRE CHISHOLM

    SIMON BOONE

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