This Is What Community Builds: Kawartha Art Gallery Announces Grand Opening of New Home
A new home for arts and culture in Kawartha Lakes celebrates community investment, collaboration and a shared vision for the region.
KAWARTHA LAKES, ONTARIO — Monday October 19, 2026 — Kawartha Art Gallery invites residents from across the City of Kawartha Lakes to celebrate the grand opening of its new permanent home at 19 Cambridge Street South in Lindsay on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
This milestone represents more than a new address. It reflects what a community can build through shared commitment, generosity and a belief in the value of arts and culture. The new space creates a foundation for exhibitions, educational programming, the Gallery’s Permanent Collection and opportunities for people throughout Kawartha Lakes to connect through art.
This is what community builds: a place for creativity, connection and a stronger cultural future for the entire region.
A Community Investment
The City of Kawartha Lakes has been an important partner in the Gallery’s development, including a $150,000 investment announced in 2024 to support the move to a dedicated location. This built on the City’s earlier commitment of $50,000 annually for three years in operating support, approved in 2023.
These investments recognize the value of cultural infrastructure in a geographically diverse municipality and the role that arts and culture play in community vitality, education and quality of life.
Mayor Doug Elmslie, representing the City of Kawartha Lakes, said:
“The Kawartha Art Gallery is an important cultural institution in Kawartha Lakes and the City has been a proud supporter of its commitment to strengthen the arts and culture sector in our area, which it has accomplished with great success. Art and artistic expression are vital to the well-being of individuals and, by extension, the communities in which they reside. The Kawartha Art Gallery in particular has promoted programming for seniors, youth, and everyone in between. They have worked hard to fulfill its promise of recognizing the ‘art in everyone’ and it is encouraging to see the Gallery finally have a home of its own where it can continue to flourish and inspire all those who visit there. Congratulations to Susan and her team, may their new home be a place where the arts will thrive for many years to come.”
The Gallery also acknowledges the Found family, whose generosity and commitment to local artists have helped make this new home possible.
The late Ken Found’s legacy continues through the Ken Found Art Fund, established with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes to support the arts. The Found family’s contribution, alongside the partnership with Linborough Property Corp., helped advance the vision for a dedicated Gallery space.
Wesley Found, representing the Found family, said:
“My father, Ken Found, was born in downtown Lindsay and gave much of his life back to this community. I think he would have loved this day. Not for the building. For the people who will walk through its doors. So much of life now happens on a screen, and true human connection is getting harder to find. A place that welcomes everyone, at little or no cost, is a gift to a community. Kawartha Lakes is growing. What drew people here was a sense of place, and that sense of place needs people who care for it. Kawartha Art Gallery is one of them. Our family is proud to stand beside them. This home is for the community, not just the arts.”
A Vision for the Entire Region
Although unable to attend in person, the Honourable Zee Hamid will provide a video greeting to mark the grand opening.
The new location advances the Gallery’s vision of the City of Kawartha Lakes as a creative hub and community network, connecting and engaging people with the multiplicity of cultures through diverse and accessible experiences that reimagine the narrative for the arts in rural Ontario.
The Gallery’s mission is to advance a healthy rural creative economy through engaging art and cultural programs and services. Its new home provides a foundation for stronger partnerships, expanded opportunities and greater engagement with residents, artists, students and community organizations throughout the municipality.
The Gallery also continues to advocate for equitable and sustainable funding for rural arts organizations. Rural communities face distinct geographic and economic realities, and cultural funding must recognize the needs of organizations serving large areas with diverse populations. Sustainable support helps rural galleries support artists, provide accessible programming and contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of their regions.
Guided by its mandate, “For the art in everyone,” Kawartha Art Gallery sees this opening as the beginning of continued collaboration, innovation and regional connection.
“This new home is possible because of the commitment of many people who believe that arts and culture matter,” said Don Hughes, Board Chair of Kawartha Art Gallery. “The City’s investment, the Found family’s generosity and the support of community partners have helped create something that belongs to the entire region. The building is an important milestone, but what matters most is what happens here: people connecting through art, artists being supported and communities discovering new opportunities together. This is what community builds.”
Residents from across the City of Kawartha Lakes are invited to join the celebration and be part of this new chapter.
GRAND OPENING
Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Location: Kawartha Art Gallery, 19 Cambridge Street South, Lindsay, Ontario
For information, visit www.kawarthagallery.com.
About Kawartha Art Gallery
Kawartha Art Gallery is a not-for-profit public art gallery dedicated to advancing a healthy rural creative economy through engaging art and cultural programs and services. Its vision is to see the City of Kawartha Lakes become a creative hub and community network, connecting people through diverse and accessible cultural experiences. Its mandate is “For the art in everyone.”
Media Contact
Kawartha Art Gallery
art@kawarthagallery.com
705-324-1780
www.kawarthagallery.com
Kawartha Art Gallery respectfully acknowledges that Kawartha Art Gallery is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaty First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoliel and Georgina Island First Nations.
Kawartha Art Gallery respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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