The Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound has a fresh look after some renovations to the front entrance.
Gallery Director and Chief Curator Aidan Ware says accessibility upgrades outside the building have been completed. There’s a new walkway and wheelchair ramp, glass railings and an updated cedar awning that changes the facade of the 1st Avenue West building.
“We’re really delighted with how it’s turned out,” Ware says. “Everybody is commenting that it looks fantastic. And it certainly creates more of a street presence for the gallery, while also creating greater accessibility.”
The exterior renovations at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery started in March. They’re part of a larger accessibility project that will also see the building’s passenger lift replaced with an elevator.
“That work is just currently underway,” Ware says. “They have ripped out our old passenger lift and are in the process now of preparing to install the new elevator.”
Ware expects the new elevator will be fully installed and functional later this year.
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery has remained open during renovations. But Ware says people can now come into the gallery through its revamped, fully accessible front entrance. It’s open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturdays.
“We hope people will come in and check it out,” Ware adds.
