By Mike Anderson
2026 is shaping up to be a transformative year for the Georgina Centre for Arts & Culture.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Sheona Hurd and Curator Claire Smith, both appointed by the GCAC Board last year, the centre will have a new name, The Art Gallery of Georgina.
The new logo was revealed at a launch event held in late November for the opening of the gallery’s permanent collection exhibition, entitled Past. Present. Permanent., which ran until January 4.
Hurd hopes the new branding will help put the gallery on the map and top of mind when people think of Georgina.
“The gallery should be one of the defining things the town is known for,” Hurd told the Post.
“What the gallery offers is genuinely rare. It is a small, public gallery that stewards a museum-quality collection of national significance. Very few communities of this size are entrusted with historically important works by major Canadian artists, and that responsibility gives the gallery real cultural weight. It is something Georgina residents should be proud of,” she said.
“The goal is for the Art Gallery of Georgina to be recognized as a leading cultural destination in the region and the province. The permanent collection should be actively used and visible, supporting exhibitions, research, scholarship, and learning, while helping to record and reflect Canadian artistic identity over time.”
According to Hurd, the gallery will leverage its permanent collection, which includes works by the late Albert Chiarandini, a contemporary of the Group of Seven, by expanding its digital presence.
“Digitizing the permanent collection will allow students, educators, researchers, and academics to access the work, while giving residents a new way to engage with what is held here,” she said.
Chiarandini’s family, who were present for the November launch, were pleased that the gallery would be promoting his works to a wider audience.
Alicia Tadier, Chirandini’s granddaughter, says the gallery’s collection of his art is one of the largest in Canada outside the family’s.
“We’ve tried so much to show his art to the public, but we’re not very digitally savvy, not even as far as social media goes. So having someone digitize it and bring it to more people would bring us so much joy,” Tadier said.
Hurd is quick to point out that digital access will not replace the importance of in-person visits. But, she says, “it builds awareness and curiosity and often becomes the first step toward walking through the door.”
While the gallery now receives permanent funding from the Town of Georgina, $165K annually over the next five years, Hurd is tasked with putting the gallery on a stronger financial footing.
Hurd says there are no plans to sell off any part of the permanent collection. However, she plans to run a tight ship and grow existing revenue streams.
“The gallery is primarily funded by the municipality, and that investment has created a cultural asset of real value for Georgina. Protecting that investment means managing resources carefully and strengthening the revenue mix in ways that align with the gallery’s public mandate and responsibilities,” she said.
“At this stage, the focus is on stabilizing and improving existing revenue streams rather than introducing new ones. That includes fee-based workshops and education programs, a stronger membership program that encourages repeat engagement, exhibition and event sponsorships, and a more structured donor program that builds reliable private support over time.”
Smith, who has master’s degrees in museum studies and art history, adds that visitors to the gallery can look forward to a series of new exhibits featuring a mix of emerging and established artists, including solo and group shows.
Although, the gallery will bring back community favourites such as the seven stories writing competition, annual juried art show and permanent collection exhibitions.
Smith will also expand the gallery’s educational offerings.
“One of our goals for this year is to have an enhanced community engagement strategy to reach new audiences, increase attendance, and better serve our community and existing gallery membership,” she said.
According to Smith, this will include new educational experiences for school groups and exploring the use of virtual classes that would appeal to people unable to attend in-person programs at the gallery.
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