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Carnegie Gallery ready to shine again
(Hamilton Spectator, Craig campbell, Sept 24 2013)

A beacon for the Dundas community will shine again on Friday.

Not that the Carnegie Gallery really went anywhere. Despite having to shut down for about eight months during construction, the nonprofit art gallery was temporarily relocated to the Dundas Conservatory of Music.

But with its metamorphosis nearly complete, the folks behind the scenes are ready to let the butterfly spread its wings. Board chair Nancy Gray and gallery administrator Barb Patterson were excited to show off the new and enhanced space while workers were installing a new sprinkler system.

Carnegie relaunches during Culture Days this weekend. The celebration slated for Friday starts at 7 p.m., and a Collage Party will happen on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. with instruction provided by artist Judy Joseph. Children must be accompanied at the party by an adult.

Gray said last year's Culture Days Collage Party was a success and they decided to try it again.

The new space successfully maintains the building's entire original south facade, which can be viewed from the new glass atrium.

The atrium was built to provide additional exhibit space and sheltered access to the elevator, which before the renovations was only accessible from outside the building.

Along with the new elevator, the atrium has an administrative office overlooking the new foyer.

"It's the first office we've ever had," Gray said. "We had to adapt around the counter. It's not efficient."

There was some early question around how the addition of the atrium might affect lighting within the gallery, but a few alterations to the original plan by Dundas architect Fred Vermeulen of Perkins & Will ensured open spaces and lighting will always be strong elements of Carnegie Gallery.

"As artists, light and space are very important (to us)," Gray said, admiring the view through the old Carnegie building and through the modern new addition. "So how these windows worked was a real concern."

Lights in the sidewalk along Ogilvie, and in the windows of the atrium, will ensure the Carnegie sparkles for years to come.

The project has also allowed the creation of a new oversized loading door, which will make setting up exhibitions easier.

An updated kitchen will serve the basement meeting room, which can also be used for small music performances or other events.

"It means our programming can be more flexible," Gray said.