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the evolution of prince george's public art gallery

• 1949 - The Prince George Art Society was established. Members met in each other's homes and in the basement of the old Civic Centre and arranged exhibits.
• 1969 - Exhibition space was established in a small house donated by Gordon and Jackie Swanky at 1362-7th Avenue as the Gordon Gallery, now Frameworks Gallery.
• 1971 - The Prince George Regional Art Gallery Association was incorporated.
• 1976 - The exhibition space moved into the old Ministry of Forests warehouse at 2820-15th Avenue.
• 1985 - The society began its permanent collection.
• 1993 - Two professional studies were initiated in regard to a new facility: Planning & Development Feasibility study by Lord Cultural Resources Planning and Management and a Functional & Technical Programming Study by Boni-Maddison Architects.
• 1994 - Hancock & Johns Architects of Edmonton completed a Concept Design.
• 1995 - Capital Campaign began.
• 1999 - The groundbreaking at 725 Civic Plaza was in April.
• 2000 - The Grand Opening was held on June 29.

the building

Construction

• approx. 300 people involved in construction
• begun in April 1999 - completed June 2000
• total hours for construction - approx. 2800
• structure - painted steel frame and structural concrete slab
• all surfaces are benign, inert or "eco-sensitive" to prevent "off-gassing" and particulate matter
• curved zinc panels for roof and sidewalls
• internally - hardened concrete, drywall, wood (fir) and dolomite stone
• Cost of $5.2 million ($1.25 million raised through art gallery Capital Campaign)
• approx. 16,000 sq. feet in total
• 48 feet tall at highest point
• 49 feet wide
• 200 feet long

Dimensions - Canfor Exhibition Galleries

• each measures 1,264 sq. feet
• each has 13 foot high walls for hanging
• each has 20 foot ceilings (in centre)
• each has 260 running feet of hanging space

Design - Important Concepts

• "Cocooning" - placing the exhibition galleries in the centre of the building so as to provide further protection from the external environment
• "Daylighting" - use of natural light in galleries. Skylights allow 2nd floor of building to function similarly to light-mixing attics of 19th century Picture Galleries.

Symbolism in Design

• inspired by geography and industry of city/area
• sloping roof, arching ribs and forecourt of boulders and shrubs symbolize cutbanks and riverbed of Nechako and Fraser Rivers
• ribs made from Douglas fir - speaks to importance of forestry industry in region
• wood used throughout facility in places where visitors will experience it most directly - the exhibition gallery floors, the stairs leading to the 2nd floor, the bannister and door pulls
• white siding - relates to neighbouring buildings in the Civic Plaza and the snow
• chimney flue - metal surrounds suggest a mill burner
• stair railing as abstracted forest deadfalls

Environmental Controls

• located in the mechanical room between 1st and 2nd floors
• energy management system monitors temperature and humidity
• ideal conservation of art no more than 5% fluctuation in temp. or humidity
• humidity kept between 50% to 60% year round
• 3 sets of air filters
• carbon filters ensure air is free of gasses that may be present outside
• conventional air filters remove dust from airstream

Staff

• 8 full-time employees
• 10 part-time employees
• 5 summer students