The Vernacular Series: Projects Expressing the Informal and the Local

Stemming from the Gallery's interest in reflecting and connecting with the community in a thoughtful and meaningful way, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery's Vernacular Series focuses on artistic expressions of the informal and the local.

Completed projects in this series include:

VS 1: Remnants: The Kitchener Industrial Artifacts Project

The online publication includes text and images of Nicholas Rees's art, inspired by the conflict of the destruction and preservation of the manufacturing history of the region; in addition, images of related artifacts and shoe forms are documented. In 2006, a video of the 14 public industrial artifacts that were placed on display in the Region will be available on the KW|AG website.

Postscript to Remnants: The Forsyth Factory Demolition came much later than the others and was commented upon by artist Nicholas Rees in March 2006.

VS 2: The Baden Hotel Project

Guest Writer: Jane Urquhart
Photographer: Kim Clarke

This online publication features, from the historically designated Baden Tavern, images of 23 ceiling tile paintings by an unknown early 20th Century itinerant painter. The project is comprised of an introduction by novelist Jane Urquhart reflecting on inspiration and excerpts from Urquhart's book, A Map of Glass, which includes a fictional character and location inspired by The Baden Hotel Project.

The decision to develop this series of web-based projects evolved from the Gallery's desire to extend creative work in the area beyond the physical walls of the Gallery - both with a view to developing additional work beyond that which can be accommodated with the limits of the Gallery itself, and with the goal of extending our audience beyond the limits of those who can physically visit the Gallery.

While Gallery space is finite, the web affords us a boundless approach to programming. KW|AG's website is viewed as a vital link with the larger world of art and ideas - an opportunity to connect this region with an international art world, and reflect this region to the world. Unlike an on-site exhibition, KW|AG's online projects can remain on the site indefinitely, providing round-the-clock, international access to the Gallery's programming for an indefinite period of time.