Some generous local donors have pitched in another $600,000 for Thunder Bay’s waterfront art gallery project.
Gallery Director Sharon Godwin says they now have just $1-million left to raise, and hope to start construction on the $33-million project by the end of the year.
Godwin says they’re grateful for the support.
“For us, it’s really meaningful that the people who are coming forward to give donations really understand the importance of the new gallery for everyone who lives in this community,” she explains, “Because it is for everyone.”
Dr. Gail Scott and her husband Dr. Brian Scott gave $150,000 and says they want to encourage people to dream big by giving them more access to art.
“People can look at one piece and have different feelings about it, and maybe their own problems are solved or realized in a different way,” she notes, “So they can have a different perspective of how they feel about themselves or about the world around them.”
The Paterson Foundation is another one of the latest major donors, pledging $250,000. In recognition of their support, Gallery 2 in the new Art Gallery will be named for the Paterson Foundation.
President Alexander Paterson says along with contributing to the arts, they want to help build up the waterfront.
“Getting people to the waterfront is a huge revitalization for the city of Thunder Bay. You can see that when you look, on a summer day, how many people spend time at the waterfront,” Paterson explains.
Longtime local educators Maurice and Jackie Black donated $100,000, and the gallery’s large art classroom will be named in their honour.
Ken Boshcoff, Greg and Carol Ann Brumpton, and Cathy MacDonald are each contributing $25,000. The gallery is getting another $10,000 from TBT Engineering, and $25,000 from Bruno’s Contracting.
