Essex Collects: Part I, Historical Works

Through 2006, the Art Gallery of Windsor presented the long running and popular Greates Hits exhibitions, which highlighted many of the best loved works from the AGW’s permanent collection. Our vaults preserve the artistry and philanthropy of regional artists, donors, and other supporters and reflect the unique and eclectic history and tastes of the audiences served by the Gallery.

For 2007, the AGW curators will continue to emphasize the theme of art collecting, but now our focus turns out toward the community. Essex Collects re-establishes an exhibition series that has long been enjoyed by the public, previously called Windsor Collects – namely, a survey of art collected by area residents. In scope and size, Essex Collects expands on the former, traditionally Windsor-based program. Paintings, sculptures and more have been loaned from collectors not only in Windsor, but from towns around the county, including Leamington, Kingsville, Tecumseh and Amherstburg.

In addition to works that fit the conventional definition of ‘fine-art’, such as oils by Dutch masters and Group of Seven canvases,  Essex Collects also features examples of Classical, Asian and pre-Columbian artifacts, textile works, items produced in wood and metal, poster design and rare books.

Artists represented in the inaugural installation include Canadians Franz Johnston, Lawren Harris, Catherine Reynolds, William Hind, and Jean-Paul Ripolle, among many others. There are old favourites, such as never-before exhibited oils by Kenneth Saltmarche, as well as new discoveries such as paintings by Sarnia-born artist Lowrie Warrener, who exhibited with the Group of Seven but developed his own unique, semi-abstract style. European talents on view are diverse, including works from Ferdinand Bols, 17th century Dutch portraitist, French Neoclassical painter Emile Levy, and poster desgns for films by Leni Riefenstahl