Janice Laking. Photo courtesy of the Laking family
Former City of Barrie Mayor Janice Laking challenged our community this summer to match her generous gift of $20,000. “Organizations like the MacLaren would not exist without support from the community,” Laking stated. “When you support your local art centre, here’s what you are doing for your community: creating culture, stimulating business, driving tourism and inspiring young minds.” This support was central to the MacLaren Art Centre surpassing its summer fundraising goal of $40k.
Inspired by Laking’s initial $20,000 commitment, twenty-six individual donors contributed more than $22,500 in support of the local arts charity. Funds raised will aid in the development of new digital community-based programs and ensure that Gallery admission remains free in these unprecedented times.
The MacLaren Art Centre is incredibly grateful to Janice Laking, who has been a tremendous force in Barrie since her time in office from 1972 to 2000. She was a champion for the Gallery during her twelve year mayorship, and continues to stand for the Gallery’s strong educational and economic impacts in the community today.
The MacLaren Art Centre, like many charities, has taken a major budget hit as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, though the current challenges have not diminished the demand for its services. Patronage to the Gallery, especially now, is integral to rebuilding a vibrant quality of life and providing a lifeline to those that need it most.
Robert and Joan Gilroy, who donated to the Janice Laking Matching Campaign, said, “Since its conception, the MacLaren Art Centre has been a beacon for the visual arts community in our city. We have been pleased to support it through thick and through thin.”
Fellow donors Susan and Marshall Green added:
“We have been so fortunate in our 47 years in Barrie to have watched our community grow from what one would call ‘small town’ to a busy and diverse city…We have a wonderful amateur arts community, two great professional theatre companies, a host of great visual artists across a spectrum of media and of course, the wonderful MacLaren Art Centre, which has been an impetus for all of this. We were very proud to be part of one of the first fundraisers for the MacLaren and are proud once again to continue our support through the generous matching gift of Janice Laking.”
The MacLaren Art Centre extends its gratitude to everyone who contributed to the Janice Laking Matching Campaign. It looks forward to entering a new chapter, and creating refreshed opportunities to engage the community in collective art experiences.
Learn more about the MacLaren Art Centre by visiting www.maclarenart.com or dropping by its 37 Mulcaster Street location.
