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Apr 24 2020

My Daily Art

Stephen Borys, WAG Director & CEO WAG at WAG 100 Masters exhibit. Carolin Vesely story (WAYNE GLOWACKI/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

I was a curator long before I was a director – and it remains my first love in the museum world.

For a curator, there are those exhibitions you dream of doing, wish would never end, and want to share with everyone. “100 Masters: Only in Canada” was one of those shows that fulfilled all three.

It was my fortune to curate this centennial exhibition for the WAG in 2013, bringing together 100 masterworks from thirty museums across Canada. It was a Canadian love-in for the WAG’s 100th birthday.

Over the course of the exhibition, I’d pop into the galleries to enjoy the works, but also to catch visitors enjoying the same. Near the end of the run, the energy of the crowds filling the spaces found me taking in the art all over again – through fresh eyes.

On these quick visits, I’d snap a few shots to capture the moment, and the happy crush of people embracing the art. The pics aren’t great but the energy was amazing. And the audio tour narrated by CBC’s Jeff Douglas was a smash!

Stephen Borys, WAG Director & CEO WAG at WAG 100 Masters exhibit. Carolin Vesely story (WAYNE GLOWACKI/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

While the WAG is temporarily closed, this series of posts from Director & CEO, Dr. Stephen Borys, shares an artwork from the collection every day until the Gallery reopens. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or visit our stories section for this and more WAG@Home content.

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2 thoughts on "My Daily Art"

Ruth Swan says:
April 25, 2020 at 1:00 pm

This was my all-time favourite show. Loved that it was from Canadian collections. Thanks for the memories. I went several times. It is nice to see the crowds – like at a Paris salon! Ruth Swan

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Winnipeg Art Gallery says:
April 29, 2020 at 8:47 am

It holds a special place in our hearts too, thank you Ruth!

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