[waterloowarrior]

Portrait gallery supporters dismayed at demise

‘They’ve relegated one of the greatest treasure troves to ignominity. Nobody will see it’

BY MARIA COOK, THE OTTAWA CITIZENSEPTEMBER 11, 2009


OTTAWA-Supporters of a portrait gallery in Ottawa reacted with disappointment that the idea of a new cultural institution with its own building is dead under the current federal government.

“The portrait gallery is still a valuable idea and you can’t kill an idea,” said Ottawa Centre New Democrat MP Paul Dewar.

“You can withdraw the commitment, you can dress it up and call it a program, but most people who want to see our culture flourish in national institutions want to see the idea of the portrait gallery come to life.”

Dewar called for a return to the original plan to house the gallery in the former U.S. embassy building on Wellington Street. He said $11.4 million had already been spent renovating the building.

A further $1.9 million was spent on a 2007 competition between Canadian cities to host the gallery.

“We need more public spaces for everyone to enjoy. It shows a lack of imagination as well as a not very smart fiscal decision,” said Dewar.

Charlotte Gray, chair of Canada’s History Society, called the decision sad.

“You have one of the most monumental parliamentary blocks in the world on one side of one of the most historic streets in Canada and on the other side just one empty building after another; a smile with half the teeth missing,” she said. “We just don’t value Ottawa as a capital city. Portrait galleries are so popular everywhere. It’s a loss of a cultural institution that has so much value in reinforcing Canadians’ sense that we have a fascinating and complicated history.”

Liberal Senator Jerry Grafstein, who has a bill to establish a permanent portrait gallery in Ottawa, said he will urge colleagues to vote on it next week.

“The fight goes on. Let parliament in a minority government decide whether a cultural institution should happen in Ottawa,” he said. “They’ve relegated one of the greatest treasure troves to ignominity. Nobody will see it.”

Edward Jones, the British architect who designed a renovation and addition to the U.S. embassy, said the gallery seems to have captured popular imagination.

“Should a virtual gallery materialize, this will quickly seem second best to the real thing, and hopefully when the Liberal government is back in power sanity will prevail,” said Jones.

“Canada is a great country and, as with all great countries, it needs a portrait gallery to celebrate its heroes — and the occasional villain.”

A spokeswoman for the federal department of public works said no decision has been regarding the future use of the former embassy building. “We are continuing to explore options,” the spokeswoman said.

The Harper government has looked into using it as a reception space for dignitaries.

“Tell us what you’re going to use it for,” said Peter Hume, chair of the City of Ottawa’s planning committee.

“Tell us how it fits into the streetscape,” he said. “If that’s where you’re’ going to meet President Obama or Gordon Brown or Nicolas Sarkozy, maybe that’s good. But get at it. Show us how that’s going to add to the fabric of the capital. We’re faced with a gaping hole along a signature street with hoarding around it,” he said.

Hume said Ottawa “seems to have gotten the short end of the stick” all around. “We have no portrait gallery. We have a hole along Wellington Street. And now we have zoning that allows two (27-storey) towers.”

In a deal with Claridge Homes, which bid to house the gallery in the base of two condo towers, the city had allowed extra height on a downtown site. The Ontario Municipal Board gave even more.

“We were trading height for public good. That doesn’t exist anymore,” said Hume.

Neil Malhotra, of Claridge, said they have been “retooling” the project in the wake of the competition’s cancellation and economic downturn. He said its too early to disclose but “we’re looking to bring some exciting uses to the site. Things lacking in Centretown, community retail type things.”

City councillor Diane Holmes said Ottawa had a “very negative” experience in participating in the competition.

“The City of Ottawa acted in good faith by entering into discussions with Claridge on a national portrait gallery of Canada in their project, and provided the required support,” she said.

“It is clear now that the government never intended to provide the funding for the gallery. It’s quite obvious they have no interest in culture,” she added “They don’t believe in supporting the history or the culture of this country.”

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