Current/Future Programs:    The Art Gallery of Bancroft is now fully operational at its new location on 10 Flint Avenue, two doors from the TD Canada Trust, in Bancroft.  Visitors are welcome to see our new and bright gallery and gift shop which is a great place to enjoy fine art and to purchase unique works of art and fine crafts.

Summer Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

With the additional space provided at our new location, we look forward to having selected works from our Permanent Collection on exhibit.

How to reach us::
Art Gallery of Bancroft
P.O. Box 398
Bancroft, On
K0L 1C0

Telephone: 613-332-1542

Donations to assist the Art Gallery of Bancroft in meeting its new challenges will be gratefully received and an official receipt for tax purposes provided for all contributions.  

The members of our Art Galley of Bancroft Committee for 2007 are:
Director - Diana Gurley
Curator - Arne Roosman
Treasurer - Carol Kirby
Secretary - Pat Cooke
Volunteer Coordinator - Dagmar Gontard-Zelinkova 
Caboose Coordinator - John Kirby
Gallery Assistant - Maynard Schutt
Graphic Design Advisor - Arne Roosman
Fund Raising Coordinator - Pat Huddart
Members: Cynthia Culp, Brenda Chipperfield, Margaret Forde, Pat Huddart, Susan Deciantis, John Olesen and Margaret Pringle 

Committee History
The Art Gallery of Bancroft, a programming committee of the Algonquin Arts Council, is a small public not for profit gallery operated, administered and staffed by volunteers.

Until February 2007 the Gallery was located in Bancroft’s historic ‘old station’, it is now in its new location at 10 Flint Ave., Bancroft.

The Art Gallery of Bancroft began as a Visual Arts Committee of the Algonquin Arts Council in 1980 and had its first exhibition at the Old Station “Visions 80” in October 1980. In 1982 there was major restoration and renovation done on the Old Station by Martin West and his team of workers. On Oct. 9, 1982 the restored Gallery had a one-day exhibit by the internationally know Canadian artist, David B. Milne. Present at this important occasion were his son, David Milne Jr. and his mother, Kathleen Milne.

On Oct. 9, the following day, the official opening of the renovated Bancroft Railway Stations was held with a many persons in attendance, including many whose families had worked on the railway.

On Jan. 12, 1983 the A.A.C. Board approved the formation of the first Gallery Committee and in March the Gallery was given the name of the Algonquin Art Gallery.

There was a serious fire at the Old Station on Jan. 28, 1995 and many works of art were saved by the response from the community. Martin West again came to the rescue and repaired the fire damaged building. The original tin roof was saved.

In June 1995 the Gallery changed its name to Art Gallery of Bancroft and introduced its current LOGO.

Caboose Restoration Project
Restoration on the old Caboose was completed November 2006 with exterior repairs and painting and rebuilding of the interior. This wonderful project was only possible with the dedication and tremendous hours of work over three years by John Kirby and his crew and the generous support of Community Futures Development Corporation special funding of $5,000 through an Eastern Ontario Development Funding initiative, additional funding by the Town of Bancroft and by donations of cash, services and material from Freymond Lumber and other local businesses and community members.

It is interesting to know that this CN Caboose, #78571, was transformed from a freight boxcar #341811 built in 1910 into a caboose during the war time effort. According to research by John Kirby, 250 freight cars received this transformation and it was at this time that the new cabooses were re-outfitted.

The Caboose will be used as an extension of the Art Gallery of Bancroft as a vehicle to exhibit historical railroad photos and clippings, art works, as a space for art workshops and children’s activities and story telling. It is anticipated that this new addition to the art/culture/historical scene will provide many opportunities for enjoyment by families in our community.

Mission Statement
The Art Gallery of Bancroft’s mandate is to encourage, educate, promote and develop local artists/artisans by providing a public, not for profit gallery, which will exhibit visual art, unique crafts as fine art and photography for sale. As well as local art, work by artists from further a field will be featured to inspire and expose our local artists/artisans. The Gallery will mount twelve monthly exhibitions which will include works by individual artists, group showings, a juried exhibition, and a high school student exhibition.

A Permanent Collection will be fostered and maintained containing works of local importance. Selections from the collection will be shown every other year.

Goals & Objectives
To educate and promote an understanding and appreciation of original visual arts, photography and crafts as fine art:
- by providing monthly exhibitions featuring local, regional and visiting artists and artisans
- by promoting all exhibitions through publicity
- by welcoming visitors and patrons to the gallery
- by facilitating the meeting of visitors with the exhibiting artists
- by encouraging student art
- by rewarding excellence in art with annual juried exhibition.

To assist artists and artisans by providing exposure for their work at the Art Gallery of Bancroft and Gift Shop
- by encouraging artists and artisans to offer their work for exhibition and sale
- by encouraging students to show their work at the annual student exhibit
- by holding annual juried exhibitions with awards for excellence
- by accepting artist’ and artisans’ work on consignment in the Gift Shop and Gallery
- by maintaining the Art Gallery of Bancroft as a suitable facility to exhibit works of art and as a welcoming venue for visitors to the Hastings Highlands.

Volunteering
The Art Gallery of Bancroft is administered by Volunteers. These positions include: Director, Curator, Treasurer, Secretary, Co-ordinator of Volunteers, Caboose Co-ordinator, Graphic Designer, and Gallery Assistant. The Gallery Committee meets each 3rd Monday.

In addition to serving on the administrative committee, there are regular volunteers who work at the Gallery and Gift Shop and are responsible for welcoming visitors, informing the public about the current exhibits and handling sales of art work from both the Gallery or Gift Shop.

Each year we express our thanks to our many volunteers with an Appreciation Tea at the Gallery. Our volunteers are very special to us and we could not function without their dedicated service.

Persons interested in volunteering at the Art Gallery of Bancroft are asked to contact Dagmar Gontard-Zelikova at 613-332-4688