Circle Arts celebrates 40 years in 2009. The
Circle Arts story began in 1969 when Gale Jensen - a professor
of Social Sciences at the University of Michigan - persuaded six students
of the Ontario College of Art (OCA) to build an art gallery and studio
on land he owned in Tobermory, Ontario.
The group stayed in the small
town on the picturesque Bruce Peninsula for the summer, producing
oil paintings, watercolours, wood block prints, sculptures, silk
screens, textiles, jewelry and pottery. They returned to Toronto
to finish their studies at the end of the summer, then moved to
Tobermory permanently the following spring.
The Circle Arts story encompasses elements of its
times and locales. It is the story of youthful enthusiasm and artistic
maturity, local involvement and global markets, sound business sense
and high creativity. More than anything else, it is the story of
a commitment to Canadian art, and to those who produce and support
it. The Owners ...
In
January 2006, Glenda Burrell and Simon White joined Arlene Kennedy
as the new owners of Circle Arts. Together they share a passion
for the unique nature of the Bruce Penninsula and the artists that
are also inspired by its diverse and dynamic character.
Glenda Burrell is a former drama teacher and arts department
head. Arlene Kennedy was the Director of the McIntosh
Gallery at The University of Western Ontario from 1989 to 2008.
Simon White is a web designer and a former theatre set
designer and production manager.
Circle
Arts One at #14 Bay Street, Tobermory,
has four distinctive gallery spaces. In the lower gallery, you will
find glassware, one of a kind jewellery, ceramics, textiles and
prints.
In three upper galleries you will find sculptural works, paintings,
photographs, hand-pulled prints and one of a kind furniture creations.
In
2007, Circle Arts expanded to another building, #10, just three
doors away, also in Little Tub Harbour, aptly called Circle
Arts Too where we are pleased to continue the tradition of
presenting many new artists and artisans.
In
January 2006, Glenda Burrell and Simon White joined Arlene Kennedy
as the new owners of Circle Arts. Together they share a passion
for the unique nature of the Bruce Penninsula and the artists that
are also inspired by its diverse and dynamic character.
Circle
Arts One
In
2007, Circle Arts expanded to another building, #10, just three
doors away, also in Little Tub Harbour, aptly called 
