Art Windsor-Essex respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Anishinaabe Territory – the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. Today the Anishinaabe of the Three Fires Confederacy are represented by Bkejwanong. We want to state our respect for the ancestral and ongoing authority of Walpole Island First Nation over its Territory.
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Our History
1943
The Willistead Art Gallery of Windsor is officially formed and opened at Willistead Manor in Walkerville, and Daphne Hein is appointed part-time curator and reports to the City of Windsor’s Public Library board.
1944
The Willistead Art Gallery of Windsor is incorporated and letters patent are issued. 1
1946
Kenneth Saltmarche is appointed full-time curator.
1949
The First Annual Sale of Canadian Paintings and Fine Crafts, which comes to be known as Art For All, is formed and continues until 1988.
1950
The Women’s Committee is formed under the auspices of Honorary Chair Mrs. Wallace R. Campbell.
1956
The Junior Women’s Committee is formed and Judith Saltmarche becomes its first chairperson.
1960
The Gallery becomes an independent institution with own board of directors. Saltmarche is appointed director and curator of a fully autonomous organization.
1969
Supplementary letters patent are issued with the name-change to the Art Gallery of Windsor (AWE).
1970
Mayor Frank Wansbrough recommends the Carling Brewery warehouse as a future home for AWE, and the building is sold to the Gallery.The first annual Art in the Park, a public outdoor art exhibition held in Willistead Park, is organized by the Volunteer Committee.
1975
The newly-renovated 60,000 square foot gallery at 445 Riverside Drive West is opened by Mayor Albert H. Weeks.
1976
Attendance for the year reaches an all-time record of 235,000 visitors.
1979
The Gallery establishes the Art Gallery of Windsor Foundation as a separate charity.
1980
The Foundation is officially incorporated and letters patent are issued.
1985
Kenneth Saltmarche resigns after 40 years of service. Alf Bogusky becomes the Gallery’s second director.
1987
445 Riverside Drive is reopened after extensive renovations and asbestos removal.
1993
Nataley Nagy is appointed the Gallery’s third director.
AWE signs agreement with the Government of Ontario to lease 445
Riverside Drive West for a pilot casino project in downtown Windsor.
1994
AWE grand opening at Devonshire Mall is attended by Dr. Shirley Thompson, Director of the National Gallery of Canada.
AWE celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
1999
AWE unveils plans for a new purpose-built gallery at 401 Riverside Drive West.
445 Riverside Drive West is demolished following its use by the Ontario Casino Corporation for eight years.
2001
401 Riverside Drive West, designed by Moffat Kinoshita / Reich + Petch, is opened to the public as AWE’s new home. Glen Cumming is appointed interim director.
2004
Gilles Hébert is appointed AWE’s fifth director and prioritizes a green energy retrofit of the HVAC system.
2010
Catharine Mastin is appointed AWE’s sixth director.
2012
The 49-year lease agreement is signed by AWE and the City of Windsor for the Gallery to occupy the mezzanine, second and third floors, and be maintained as a ‘Category A’ facility.
2013
The sale of 401 Riverside Drive West to the City of Windsor is completed and AWE becomes a lease tenant while remaining an autonomous organization.
2014
The City of Windsor names the Windsor Community Museum as co-tenant at 401 Riverside Drive West and construction begins for their main floor occupation.
2022
Art Gallery of Windsor becomes Art Windsor-Essex, living the mission and vision of the gallery’s 2021-25 strategic plan.
Kenneth and Judith Saltmarche with twin sons Noel and David, with Kenneth’s Portrait of Judy Saltmarche in rear, 1954; Image courtesy of The Windsor Star
The Carling Brewery building, Date Unknown
Inside the Art Gallery of Windsor at Devonshire Mall
Inside the Art Gallery of Windsor at Devonshire Mall