Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Contemporary glass and ceramic art gallery in Waterloo, Canada
The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery is an art museum in Waterloo dedicated to ceramic, glass, enamel, and stained glass works. The space is organized across five distinct exhibition areas featuring different collections.
The idea of a national ceramics gallery dates to 1936, when the Canadian Guild of Potters was founded; it gained traction in 1981, when Ceramists Canada sought a home to honour potter Ruth Gowdy McKinley. Waterloo was chosen in 1982, and Vancouver architects John and Patricia Patkau won the 1986 competition. Construction began in 1991 on the site of an aged hockey arena, and the gallery opened on 19 June 1993.
The gallery's name is often shortened to The Clay & Glass. Its five galleries are named after donors and supporters, among them the Keith & Winifred Shantz Gallery and the Dr. Douglas Wright Education Gallery. Since opening it has mounted over 178 exhibitions with artists from 25 countries, and the collection began with a donation of about 200 pieces.
The museum welcomes visitors on different days of the week with varying opening hours depending on the day. It is advisable to check the exact times before visiting and plan with enough time to explore all five exhibition areas.
The building was converted from a former hockey arena and retains some architectural features from its sports past. This unusual origin shapes the sense of space and creates an interesting connection between sports and art exhibition.
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