Dignitaries get glimpse of Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery ahead of Oct. 5 opening

The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery welcomed its first guests with a Dignitary Reception Friday afternoon, the first official opening event of the new gallery.

Those in attendance heard remarks from special guests including:  Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton (who also represented the Honorable James Moore, Minister of Heritage); Lambton County Warden Steve Arnold; and Judith and Norman Alix who contributed $1.5 million toward the Capital Campaign Project.

“It has been my pleasure to work with community stakeholders from Lambton County in assisting them to obtain federal funding from the Cultural Spaces Fund," said Davidson. "With close to $4 million in federal funding provided through Heritage Canada, the Government of Canada has provided a significant amount of investment that contributed to the overall success of the campaign to raise the funds required to build this magnificent gallery."

"For decades to come, the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery will be a sight to see for anyone who visits Sarnia-Lambton, and I am proud to have been able to play a role in such an exciting and visionary project that the entire community will be able to enjoy,” Davidson continued.

"This is a once in a lifetime event," said Lambton County Warden Steve Arnold. "A lot of hard work, dedication and generosity has gone into this project with the end result being a first class facility where the local, regional and national art scenes can flourish and culture thrive."

Guests were given the opportunity to explore the new facility and exhibitions.  Volunteers and staff were stationed around the gallery to provide tours and answer questions about the building and the opening exhibitions.

"To welcome our first guests into the gallery is a cultural and social milestone for Lambton County," said Lisa Daniels, Curator at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery. "We offer our warmest thanks to the community who have believed in and supported the vision for a new art gallery for many years."

All exhibitions will be on display at the gallery from October 5, 2012 to January 1, 2013 except Core Sample: Points of Departure which continues until February 3, 2013.The doors at the Judith & Norman ALIX Art Gallery will open to the public Friday October 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., kicking off with downtown Sarnia’s First Friday cultural walkabout.  Visitors can enjoy live bands under a giant tent, tours of the exhibitions and giveaways for the first 500 guests.

Join us in celebrating the opening of the new gallery! Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

For more information about the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery’s public opening events, or to register for our All About Youth Day on September 29, please visit our new website www.JNAAG.ca or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Tags: arts, judith and norman alix art gallery, lambton county, lambton news, Sarnia-Lambton