Celebrate the Arts Together

Becoming a Gallery Associate puts you in contact with other art lovers who are part of a volunteering opportunity that is stimulating and enjoyable. Membership provides a rich and fulfilling experience, as well as opportunities for intellectual and personal enrichment and community development.

Fostering public awareness of and interest in the Gallery are not only rewarding for members but also benefit the Gallery. Members enjoy the chance to work on behalf of the Gallery and with Gallery staff to promote the many programs and exhibitions offered by the Gallery.

You will know that you make a difference through committee work and voluntary service which directly benefit the AGGV and the public. And you will have the pleasure of shared activities and opportunity for friendship.

Priority to purchase tickets for select special activities organized by the Gallery Associates is also a membership benefit.

Monthly Meetings

Gallery Associates enjoy meeting at the Gallery on the 2nd Friday of the month at 10am. Sharing ideas, meeting new friends and enjoying coffee together build the strong bonds that have resulted in committees of dedicated volunteers. Each meeting features a guest speaker whose topic is stimulating and enlightening. Visitors may attend a meeting to learn more about us.

Happenings

The Gallery Associates’ popular e-newsletter, is published six times a year between September and June. Included are articles about members, their interests, a variety of activities and Gallery events. Photos and commentary keep members informed wherever they are. New members are always featured so that they can be recognized and welcomed at meetings and events. Speakers at the monthly meetings are profiled in the publication. Gallery Associates are encouraged to submit articles about their travels or other topics of interest to others.

You already love art and are looking to connect with other art lovers. You would like to find a meaningful volunteer opportunity that is also stimulating and enjoyable. Join with us to support the Gallery and to impart the importance of art in our community. It’s easy to become involved in one of Victoria’s most rewarding volunteer experiences. First, make certain your Gallery membership is current. Then join the Gallery Associates for $35 annually. Pick up a rack card for information about joining beside the front desk in the Gallery.

House Tour
This popular annual Fall event is a major fundraising event for the Gallery. About to celebrate its 65th year, the tour features spectacular homes in the Greater Victoria area. Sellout crowds visit the homes that also feature recognized regional artists working inside. Volunteers plan a year ahead to ensure the tour is successful.

Art Tours
Designed to foster interest in and promote appreciation of local, regional, national and international art, these tours attract art lovers and usually sell out quickly. Tours have lead hosts who are well versed in the art and culture of the destination and participants visit artists, galleries and museums as well as touring communities where these reside.

Government House Coat Check
Volunteers staff the coat check during events at Government House. The Gallery Associates have maintained a long-standing relationship with Government House through their volunteer shifts throughout the year.

What’s it Worth?
This informative and entertaining event offers the public a chance to check out the value of those sentimental treasures that have been languishing throughout their homes. Participants can bring two items, one of which will be appraised by an accredited appraiser from Kilshaw’s Auctioneers.

Sunday Art Lecture Series

The Sunday Lecture Series is a fundraiser organized by the Gallery Associates in support of the Gallery. Proceeds go toward supporting Gallery exhibitions and programs. The Associates of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria volunteer, promote and support the Gallery through fundraising events and programs.

Ad Hoc Activities
Several fundraising activities continue to be considered by the Gallery Associates for specific fundraising purposes. Over the years, these activities have been very popular and have included: What’s It Worth, the Gallery Associates’ version of The Antiques Road Show; a Sunday afternoon Art Lecture Series; Art in Bloom, floral designs complementing Gallery artworks; Let’s Talk Design, a series featuring interior designers in discussions specific to home design and renovation.

Donna Jones – President
Carol Anne Harper – First Vice President
Wendy Lovitt Warren – Second Vice President
Louise Klaassen – Secretary
Marci Shilliington – Treasurer
Karen Ayers – Membership Chair
Yvonne MacKenzie – Programme Chair
Pieta VanDyke – Past President

Our committees welcome new members throughout the year. Check the list and see where your skills and interests would fit best!

Archives: Charlene Brown, Archivist
Art Tours & Studio Tours – Joan Huzar and Wendy Lovitt Warren (Co-Chairs)
Book Club – Joan Shimizu, Pat Katz and Joan Fraser (Co-Conveners)
Communications & Marketing – Pat Preston, Chair
Constitution Review – Anne Russell, Chair
DVD Series – Corinne Taylor, Convenor
Government House Volunteers – Nancy Newton and Alma Alexander (Coordinators)
Happenings Newsletter – Joan Shimizu, Editor, and Charlene Brown, Layout & Production
House Tour – Bill Huzar, Chair
Membership Committee – Karen Ayers, Chair, Mona Herring, Co-Chair, Dorothy Griffin, Telephone Contact for Members without Email, Bill Samis, Membership List Recorder
Social Committee – Louise Maguire, Eleanor Mix and Judy Walker (Co-Chairs)