Challenge
The Sarnia Art Gallery was faced with losing its location at the Bayside Mall when its lease expired. The city and county needed funding to build a new art gallery in which to display and store its many fine works of art acquired over the course of the gallery’s history, dating back to 1956. Without funds for construction of a new facility, Sarnia would lose its only art gallery. Its priceless works of art would either have to be sold or stored indefinitely.
Both Judith and Norman Alix had always had an appreciation for fine art. They wanted to be sure others in Sarnia, particularly students, would have an opportunity to view beautiful original art. They felt the closing of the gallery would be a great loss to the community, so they contacted Mayor Mike Bradley to offer their support.
The Judith & Norman Alix Foundation donated $1,500,000 to be used in the construction of a new art gallery.
Construction on The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery began in November 2010 and was completed in October 2012.
Today The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery is a free public art gallery located in the former Thom Building (Sak’s Building) in the centre of the downtown cultural district. It overlooks Sarnia’s beautiful waterfront. The new gallery features a new storage facility that is home to the community’s priceless permanent collection.
With more than 200 members, over 1,100 works of Canadian art, and with the support of a keen volunteer team, the gallery serves an immediate community of 128,000 people across Lambton County. It provides the residents with an exciting array of art exhibitions, tours, lectures, special events and education programs, all designed to inspire creativity and enthusiasm for the visual arts.
