Arts Notes

Ground broken for new Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver

by Carlito Pablo on January 18th, 2016 at 2:07 PM
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      Construction has started for the Polygon Gallery on the City of North Vancouver’s waterfront.

      The arts facility will be the new home of the Presentation House Gallery, an internationally recognized venue for artistic photography that will take on the name of the modern building when it opens next year.

      “We are very excited that construction is underway, and cannot wait to welcome people to the new Gallery in 2017,” gallery director Reid Shier said in a media release.

      At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new waterfront arts facility.

      Among those who attended the groundbreaking ceremony Monday (January 18) were North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson, B.C. Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, and North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto.

      “The Polygon Gallery will transform and enhance our waterfront landscape as it becomes a part of our vibrant Shipyards District,” Mussatto said in the news release. “We are looking forward to the completion of this world class public art gallery that will serve as a community hub while offering expanded opportunities for art exhibition and education in our city.”

      Sheryl Fisher of the Squamish Nation blesses the construction site of the gallery.

      The art gallery at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue was designed by architect John Patkau.

      The construction of the Polygon Gallery was supported by a $4 million combined lead gift from Polygon Homes, a company founded by philanthropist Michael Audain, and the Audain Foundation.

      The City of North Vancouver and the federal and provincial governments contributed $2.5 million each.

      The gallery also received a $750,000 gift from the Chan Family Foundation, which was announced during the groundbreaking ceremony.

      “I am impressed with the diverse range of funders that have been brought together in support of this endeavour and am proud that the Canadian government has made a significant contribution in this regard,” North Vancouver MP Wilkinson said in the media release.

      Presentation House Gallery opened in 1976 at an old schoolhouse at Chesterfield and 3rd Avenue.

      Local MLA Yamamoto is confident about the future success of the new Polygon Gallery. “The new gallery enjoys wide support and promises exceptional artistic and educational programming,” Yamamoto said in the release. 

      From left, gallery director Reid Shier is joined in the groundbreaking ceremony by City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson, North Vancouver - Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto, B.C. Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, and Polygon Gallery campaign chair Stuart McLaughlin.

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