Galleries Ontario Recognizes Former Thunder Bay Art Gallery Director, Sharon Godwin with Lifetime Achievement Award
December 4, 2024
DATE: December 3, 2024
SUBJECT: Galleries Ontario Recognizes Former Thunder Bay Art Gallery Director, Sharon Godwin with Lifetime Achievement Award
WHERE: Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON
On Tuesday 3, December, Galleries Ontario held their 47th Annual GOG Awards and recognized former Thunder Bay Art Gallery Director, Sharon Godwin with their Lifetime Achievement Award. The award acknowledged that for over forty years Godwin dedicated herself to the Gallery and her community.
Established in 1977, the GOG awards were created to highlight the continued excellence and innovation of public art galleries, art museums, and arts organizations in Ontario.
“Too often the artistic excellence and provincial impact of our community in northern Ontario has been overlooked, it’s gratifying to see Sharon’s leadership acknowledged in this way! We are grateful to Sharon for her outstanding service as our past director.” Executive Director, Matthew Hills stated, “For more than four decades Sharon has dedicated herself to our institution in service of our community and region. We are grateful for Sharon’s commitment. On behalf of our Board of Directors, our entire staff, and all of the artists and members of the public that your work has impacted: Congratulations Sharon!”
Beginning at the Gallery in 1981 as a Gallery Assistant, Sharon moved to Assistant Director in 1984. Sharon holds a Bachelor of Art Education from Lakehead University and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from University of Guelph. She took on the mantle of Gallery Director in 1989, a position she filled for over three decades.
When asked about her thoughts on the Lifetime Achievement Award, Sharon responded, “Few people are able to spend their career at a meaningful job that they love, working with dedicated colleagues, volunteers, and exceptional artists. Even fewer do this work in one of the best communities in the country. It has been my privilege and I’m incredibly honoured and humbled by this recognition from the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Galleries Ontario.”
Image 1: Former Gallery Director, Sharon Godwin.
Image 2: Sharon Godwin celebrating her Lifetime Achievement award at the 47th Annual Galleries Ontario Awards at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Photo by Penelope Smart.