Paterson Foundation Pledges Major Gift Towards Gallery Capital Campaign
April 3, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 2, 2024
SUBJECT: Paterson Foundation Pledges Major Gift Towards Gallery Capital Campaign
WHERE: Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, ON
Alexander Paterson, President of The Paterson Foundation announced a gift from the Foundation to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery on Tuesday. The Foundation is providing an additional $1 million to the Community Capital Campaign to build the new facility on Thunder Bay’s waterfront. This commitment from the Paterson’s family foundation comes in addition to $250,000 already contributed to the new waterfront art gallery in 2019.
“[This] project is about more than just art; it’s about place.” Paterson shared “The new gallery, nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, holds a special significance. It will not only serve as a hub for exhibitions but also as a venue for community and family celebrations for generations to come. It’s a testament to our commitment to enhancing the architectural beauty of our waterfront and creating a space where people can truly connect with both art and nature.”
Founded in 1970 by Senator Norman McLeod Paterson, the Paterson Foundation provides grant opportunities for charitable activities in Northwestern Ontario. The Paterson Foundation and the Paterson family have been supporters of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery since its original opening in 1976. The Paterson Gallery in the existing building on Confederation College Campus is named for their support of the 1981 facility expansion. In addition, the Foundation has provided numerous grants to support programming of the work of local and regional artists at the Gallery.
Thunder Bay Art Gallery Executive Director Matthew Hills stated, “The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is profoundly thankful to the Paterson family and to the board of directors of the Paterson foundation for this commitment of support. I want to thank the Board of Directors of the foundation, Robert, Donald, and Alexander, for this profoundly important gift, and to thank the broader Paterson, family, Donald and Lori, Alexander and Kim, Ann Leblanc, Samantha Paterson for there ongoing visionary support of the gallery at such a crucial juncture in our history. This support and the ongoing success of our capital campaign is essential to realizing the new building and opening in 2026. On a personal level, it’s moving to see the historic work of the Paterson foundation and family realized in the future of our community, at a time when support for change and growth is crucial!”
Construction on the waterfront Gallery is progressing well, and currently over 20% complete. Launched in September, the Gallery’s capital campaign is ongoing and community support is essential to realizing the opening of the new building in 2026. In March the Gallery welcomed a dynamic new Development Lead, Katherine Couzelis, to learn more about how you can support the building of the new gallery please contact Katherine at development@theag.ca or 807.632.1497.
Further info on how to give can be found at theag.ca/support. For more information, images and interview availability please contact:
Bob Gravelle
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
(807) 577-6427
communications@theag.ca
Photo 1: Alexander Paterson, photo by John Sims
Photo 2: Alexander Paterson and Executive Director Matthew Hills, photo by John Sims