BY BECKY SHEASBY
If you are interested in the arts, Kitchener-Waterloo has a place for you. The Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery is home to a wide variety of art forms for people who like to dip their toes in art or for those who like to jump right in.
The gallery is currently hosting a number of exhibits such as The Same Problem. This exhibit was created by Aleesa Cohene and Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay. Over the years, the pair have been acknowledged for their explorations of queer history and discussions on love and the ego.
The exhibit features video footage from various films edited together, text sprawled across the walls, statues and a distinct smell pumped into the room. The meaning behind the instalments is based on communication, sustained longing and a strong desire to connect with a collective past.
“They work together with found footage from films, some that you would recognize, some that are obscure, some of their own footage and they edit them together beautifully with a really gorgeous soundtrack. Then they create an experience,” said Priti Kohli, the communications co-ordinator of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.
Another exhibit currently on display is A Story of Canadian Art: As told by the Hart House Collection. This exhibit is the first time in around 30 years that Canadians can see individual works of classic Canadian art from the Hart House collection, such as the Group of Seven and Lawren Harris. These important pieces have been brought from the University of Toronto.
The exhibit gives the audience a chance to learn about the formation of Canadian art and cultural history from the first half of the 20th century.
Along with a wide variety of exhibits, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery offers a large selection of programs. A full list can be found at www.kwag.ca/en/index.asp. Some of the current programs include Coffee Tasting & Appreciation, a $25 course that develops a person’s knowledge of coffee and teaches how to appreciate it using the five senses. There is also a course called Workshop for Artists: How to Start an Etsy Shop, a $15 course that teaches artists the basics on how to start an Etsy account, which is a website where you can buy and sell all things handmade, vintage, art and supplies.
The gallery is free to visit and explore and is open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays, making it the perfect date night destination. The rest of the weekly hours can be found on the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery’s website. The gallery is located at 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. Call 519-579-5860 or email mail@kwag.on.ca for more information.
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