Spirit of Change: One Building Tells the Story of Guelph has now opened at the Guelph Civic Museum.
Guelph’s second oldest standing stone religious building at 126 Norwich Street East is the focus of the exhibition. The building has had only three owners in its 154 year history: Congregational Independent Dissenters, Church of Christ (Disciples) and the Islamic Society of Guelph.
The spiritual, social and physical development of Guelph took place around it and is reflected by the small structure that has endured and thrived. Guest curator Dr. Kathleen Schmalz used arts-based research methods to develop the exhibit. Those involved seeking overlapping patterns and conceptual frameworks as well as utilizing art, artifacts, and contemporary cultural representations to explore historical themes. Local artists Rene Mesheke, Laura Coutts, Scott Abbot, Lynn Chidwick, and Kathleen Schmalz contributed art to the exhibit, some of which are for sale. The exhibit continues at the Guelph Civic Museum until Jan. 9. The museum is at 6 Dublin Street South. For more info call 519-836-1221 x. 2774 or visit guelph.ca/museum.
