The Durham West Arts Centre is a 'hub' organization working to establish links with artists, arts groups and arts lovers. We host exhibitions, activities and events at the Centre as attractors. We want to meet and talk to the groups and individuals who are willing to help build the infrastructure for a permanent arts centre in Ajax-Pickering.
The Art to Go Show – presented by DWAC
Starting Nov. 26th, 2004, the Durham West Arts Centre launched "The Art to Go" Show. Over 20 local artists had their works on view in eight locations in Durham region.
The Rouge Valley Health Care Centre, Ajax, TD Canada Trust in the Pickering Town Centre, Fraser Ford in Oshawa, Volvo of Durham, Carruthers Creek Community Church, Anne Gold's Medical Office, The Mount Everest Restaurant and Siemens in Ajax demonstrate their community-mindedness by supporting the local art scene. Each location hosts three works at a time. A dedicated group of driver/volunteers moved the art works from location to location every two months. Each location, mostly all high traffic areas, will displayed 24 works over the period of a year.
"It's a great way to enhance the exposure for local artists," says Durham West Arts Centre Executive Director, Angie Littlefield.
"And, it's not an idea new to Ajax/Pickering." John Sabean, historian and Chair of the Centre adds, "Doris Mills, later, Doris Speirs, rented several paintings from J.E.H. MacDonald in the spring of 1919. When her friends learned of this, they decided to follow suit, and thus was born in November of that year, the "Circulating System" of art rental. Mills, Bess Housser, Lucile Taylor and Mrs K. Young rented 12 paintings from such artists as MacDonald, Lawren Harris, Arthur Lismer and A.Y. Jackson. Each would keep three paintings on their walls for three months; then they would swap their paintings until by the end of the year, each had all 12 paintings in their home. When these paintings were returned to the artists, 12 more were rented. This was begun in the year before the Group of Seven was formed."
The Durham West Arts Centre, following in this fine historic tradition, hopes to get public feedback on the art works from the visitors to the 8 host sites. Each location will have a binder showing works to come, providing artist contact information and inviting comments. Contact us at 905-250-9891 or email info@dwac.com
Durham West Arts Centre • 72 B Old Kingston Road, Pickering Village, Ajax, ON Canada L1T 2Z8
TEL: 905-250-9891 • WEBSITE: dwac.ca • EMAIL: info@dwac.ca • WEBMASTER