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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