The KWAG Blog

Shelley Niro's Return to Life is a black and white photograph offering a glimpse of the Grand River from beneath a silhouetted tree canopy on a wild shoreline
KWAG respectfully acknowledges that we are located on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishnaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. The Haldimand Tract, land promised to Six Nations, includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. As I reflect on this inaugural National Day... Read More
Exterior view of KWAG at Centre In The Square with Terre Chartrand's Asibikaashi on view on an exterior wall to the right
“Art has a long story to tell…it is an incredibly effective delivery system and tool for change. It gives us an opportunity to have a voice.” - Rashid Johnson To quench a burning desire to feast my eyes physically on works of art outside of our jewel of a Gallery, I took a trip to Ottawa over... Read More
A detail of a digital artwork combining images of hands against a black brick wall scrawled with white line drawings
Last month, the KWAG Youth Council wrapped up a year unlike any other with the installation of a collaborative digital mural that is now on view outside Kitchener City Hall. A Visual Glimpse of an Historic Year combines the creativity of nine young artists in our community who came together through... Read More
Aerial photo of a large digital banner of a red spider spinning a web, installed on a large brick wall of Centre In The Square
Earlier this summer, we shared our first images of our newest outdoor art installation on social media. The reactions followed fast. "Trigger warning: spiders," replied one person on Twitter with a highly distressed emoji-face. "I feel bad for all those arachnophobes," added another on Facebook. "... Read More
Photo of Allan Bush, an older man in a dark suit and glasses, standing alongside signage recognizing Free Admission Sponsor CIBC Wood Gundy - Allan Bush Investment Team
Earlier this year, we welcomed perennial KWAG supporter Allan Bush as our newest Free Admission sponsor. The support of CIBC Wood Gundy- Allan Bush Investment Team ensures that admission to KWAG and its exhibitions remains free for everyone. Our Executive Director Shirley Madill caught up with... Read More
Screenshot of Steve Lavigne, a man with curly shoulder-length hair in a short-sleeved black shirt, standing in front of a didactic wall for Expressions 46: Through a New Lens
The opening of our digital exhibition, Expressions 46: Through a New Lens , is cause to celebrate the perseverence of young artists all across Waterloo Region. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, their creative energy has ensured that our annual tradition of exhibiting student talent in our... Read More
Microscopic view of coronavirus rendered in green and yellow against a nebulous blue background
Earlier today, the Province of Ontario ordered a province-wide lockdown of all non-essential businesses in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in our communities. This lockdown takes effect at 12:01 am on Saturday 3 April. Based on this directive and out of an abundance of... Read More
Portion of a community quilt made of face masks tied together, each illustrated with textiles and painting, on view behind a glass window
Since Fall 2020, KWAG's Public Programs Department has been fortunate to partner with Brenda Reid, a graduate student at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, on her From Behind the Mask community quilt project. Initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this project invited... Read More
Historical black and white photo of young Black men protesting for the right to vote
With the pandemic forcing many of us indoors, more of our opportunities for social interaction gradually moved online. We took to online video conferences not just for work-related meetings, but for seeing our loved ones, attending school, doctor’s appointments and more. It took little more than a... Read More
Installation view of Deanna Bowen's Black Drones in the Hive, showing a pair of shackles displayed on a white plinth in front of a wall filled with framed archival images
the heart of a community As an artist and audience-centered institution, we, at KWAG, begin the new year with a continued commitment to our community. By embracing art as a means to engage our imaginations, challenge our perceptions, and inspire change, the Gallery, together with creatives across... Read More

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