May 2009 Newsletter

Upcoming Shows 

GardenArt

GardenArt, Gallery 96's exciting new fundraiser, takes place at Factory 163 on Saturday, May 30th, from 9am- 4pm.  This is a show and sale that includes garden sculpture, items of interest for the garden and original artwork about the garden. Whether you have a small or large, formal or wild garden, there will be something to pique your interest.

Please support the visual arts in our community by making donations of your artwork.  We will also accept work on commission (the gallery commission is 35%). Money raised helps us to exhibit and promote the work of area artists as well as fund workshops and other events for the public.

Donations of garden perennials will be a welcomed addition to this sale. When cleaning up your garden and dividing your stock, please consider potting your plants for the gallery!

To print out your donation and/or sale form, please go to the Gallery website main menu and click on: Fundraisers > GardenArt 2009 Donation Form.

For more information, contact Wendy O'Brien at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Spotlight 2009

Gallery 96 is taking part in Spotlight 2009, an Ontario Arts Council initiative to promote the arts in Stratford and the region.  You can take centre stage in Stratford with 20 activities exploring theatre, writing, visual arts, dance and music. Factory 163 is the central hub of action but don’t miss the many spOtlight events throughout the city.   Members of Gallery 96 will exhibit their artwork and hold workshops during the festival.  It takes place June 5, 6 and 7 at Factory 163, 163 King Street, Stratford.  The members show will run from June 5 to June 12 in the main floor gallery at Factory 163. We hope to see you there!

For more information, contact Wendy O'Brien at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Past Shows

Industrial Strength

Industrial Strength wrapped up a successful two week run at Factory 163 with excellent attendance  figures and sales. Over 150 people attended the opening, and that number was then matched over the next two weeks  for a total attendance of over 300 people. Nine pieces of art were sold, with Ev Scott leading the way with five sales! Congratulations, Ev!

Shalia Islam wrote an essay on the show and it is now posted on the gallery website. Please look under Articles > Critical Discourse.

Curator Erik Sansom thanks everyone for making this such a successful event. Special thanks go out to Michelle Salter for her guidance and advice. Thanks Michelle!

Other News

Janet and Maryann Cox are pleased to announce that their presentation to Stratford city council regarding their rezoning request went amazingly well with nary a negative voice to be heard. Factory 163 seems destined to become an Arts & Technology hub in Perth County and Gallery 96 is pleased to be a part of it. For more information, please visit their website at www.factory163.com

Regarding future mailings, if you would prefer to receive  an email version of this newsletter, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the necessary contact info, email address, etc. Maybe we can save a few trees here. Those of you who would still like to receive the paper newsletter need take no further action.

Best,

Erik Sansom - VP Gallery 96

2008 In Review:

Gallery 96 started 2008 without a home after giving up its space at The Discovery Centre.  By spring, the membership was again active, planning workshops and an exhibition.  Throughout the spring and early summer, Gallery 96 partnered with a local business, Sun Signs, as well as Stratford Northwestern Secondary School to produce a number of workshops aimed at educating the public and our membership in new media arts.  Many thanks go out to Nancy Groenestege and Val O’Flynn for organizing these events.

In September, Michelle Salter was curator for Manipulate This at Factory 163.  Artwork for Manipulate This was produced by digitally manipulating photos of the artist’s original artwork, adding a new dimension to previous work.  During this exhibition, Gallery 96 hosted a well-attended workshop called Manipulate That.  This event allowed guests an opportunity to create their own work through manipulation of traditional materials or a number of computer software programs with the help of gallery artists, members of the media club from Stratford Northwestern Secondary School and Valerie O’Flynn.

Gallery 96 needed a home, and after the success of these events, the membership decided to rent office space on the second floor of the Factory 163 at 163 King Street in Stratford.

As well, a number of members of the gallery rented adjoining spaces, which they use as communal studio space.  Other members and members’ friends are invited to use this space at cost of $5 for 3 hours.  This money goes to repairs to our space and Gallery 96’s rent.  For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 519-271-4660.

Vine Art finished off 2008 and was again a great success and we all thank Wendy O’Brien for her hard work in organizing the event. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and donated artwork.