New Downtown Art Gallery and Cafe Opens
An exciting new addition to Victoria’s arts scene opens its doors tomorrow. The Legacy Art Gallery and Café, a new gallery and meeting place in downtown Victoria, is the result of collaboration between the University of Victoria and Heritage Realty Properties Ltd., made possible by the generosity of well-known local benefactor Michael Williams.
Williams passed away in November 2000, leaving his estate to UVic including an extensive art collection and real estate portfolio which includes the building at Yates and Broad streets where the gallery is located. Williams bequeathed his collection with the express wish that it be made available for public viewing at a downtown location. The gallery will feature Pacific Northwest art as well as an enticing selection of gourmet café fare.
“Michael wanted to share his passion for art with the people of the city he loved so much,” says UVic President David Turpin. “We’re so grateful to Michael for his tremendous generosity and his support of teaching, learning, research and culture at UVic and in Victoria.”
The inaugural exhibition “Michael’s World” showcases a number of works by studio artists, many of whom received support from Williams in the early days of Old Town Victoria’s artistic revival. From the 1970s to the 1990s, more than 100 artists and craftspeople were situated in downtown studio space and constituted the core of this revival.
The gallery program will be based around Williams’ collection of over 1,000 paintings, drawings and sculptures by some of the most renowned artists of the Pacific Northwest, including examples from Glenn Howarth’s “tondo” (round painting) series and the gritty urban landscapes by Ken Flett which include images of Victoria’s street people.
UVic and Heritage Realty Properties Ltd., the company that manages much of the property from the estate including Swans Hotel, are working together to maintain Williams’ vision and tradition of combining great food, excellent service and a stimulating setting.
“UVic will provide the art and the expertise to present the art in this wonderful new venue, while Heritage will bring knowledge in the hospitality business,” says Janina Ceglarz, Heritage Properties’ CEO. “In the coming years, the gallery will continue to evolve and will provide opportunities for UVic students and faculty to showcase new works and to interact with the downtown public. Heritage Properties is honoured to help continue Michael’s patronage of the arts and culture in Victoria.”
Admission to the Legacy Art Gallery and Café is free. It is located at 630 Yates Street, and the café will feature menu items such as panini sandwiches, bagel melts, espresso coffee and various desserts. There is also a gift shop. The structure’s most recent tenant, Starfish Gallery, opted not to renew its lease, creating the opportunity for this new use for the building.
To view the Williams’ art collection online, visit www.maltwood.uvic.ca/mcw/.
In announcing the gallery, UVic is respecting Williams’ wish that it not bear his name. The downtown site is an addition to the other art galleries and venues currently curated by UVic, including Swans Hotel itself and the Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery on campus.
The Legacy Art Gallery and Café’s regular hours will be Wednesday to Sunday (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). It will also be available for private functions.
Williams passed away in November 2000, leaving his estate to UVic including an extensive art collection and real estate portfolio which includes the building at Yates and Broad streets where the gallery is located. Williams bequeathed his collection with the express wish that it be made available for public viewing at a downtown location. The gallery will feature Pacific Northwest art as well as an enticing selection of gourmet café fare.
“Michael wanted to share his passion for art with the people of the city he loved so much,” says UVic President David Turpin. “We’re so grateful to Michael for his tremendous generosity and his support of teaching, learning, research and culture at UVic and in Victoria.”
The inaugural exhibition “Michael’s World” showcases a number of works by studio artists, many of whom received support from Williams in the early days of Old Town Victoria’s artistic revival. From the 1970s to the 1990s, more than 100 artists and craftspeople were situated in downtown studio space and constituted the core of this revival.
The gallery program will be based around Williams’ collection of over 1,000 paintings, drawings and sculptures by some of the most renowned artists of the Pacific Northwest, including examples from Glenn Howarth’s “tondo” (round painting) series and the gritty urban landscapes by Ken Flett which include images of Victoria’s street people.
UVic and Heritage Realty Properties Ltd., the company that manages much of the property from the estate including Swans Hotel, are working together to maintain Williams’ vision and tradition of combining great food, excellent service and a stimulating setting.
“UVic will provide the art and the expertise to present the art in this wonderful new venue, while Heritage will bring knowledge in the hospitality business,” says Janina Ceglarz, Heritage Properties’ CEO. “In the coming years, the gallery will continue to evolve and will provide opportunities for UVic students and faculty to showcase new works and to interact with the downtown public. Heritage Properties is honoured to help continue Michael’s patronage of the arts and culture in Victoria.”
Admission to the Legacy Art Gallery and Café is free. It is located at 630 Yates Street, and the café will feature menu items such as panini sandwiches, bagel melts, espresso coffee and various desserts. There is also a gift shop. The structure’s most recent tenant, Starfish Gallery, opted not to renew its lease, creating the opportunity for this new use for the building.
To view the Williams’ art collection online, visit www.maltwood.uvic.ca/mcw/.
In announcing the gallery, UVic is respecting Williams’ wish that it not bear his name. The downtown site is an addition to the other art galleries and venues currently curated by UVic, including Swans Hotel itself and the Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery on campus.
The Legacy Art Gallery and Café’s regular hours will be Wednesday to Sunday (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). It will also be available for private functions.
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Media contacts
Martin Segger (Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery) at 250-721-8298 office, 250-920-6110 cell or 250-381-7670