The Brandon Art Club was founded in November 1907, and operated in an art studio on the top floor of the Brandon College Women's Residence. The club appears to have been the creation of Miss. H. Hancock, who became the Director of the Department of Art at Brandon College c. 1907. The club moved to larger facilities made available at the First Methodist Church; the organization remained there until sometime during the Great War when the club relocated to St. Paul's Presbyterian Church and then in 1921, to the Prince Edward Hotel. The club's first public art exhibitions were held at the Prince Edward Hotel. Art classes were held for the first time in 1928. In 1968, the Brandon Art Club merged with the Allied Arts Center, which had been formed in 1959. The Allied Arts Center was located at 1036 Louise Avenue. In April 1984, the Allied Arts Center was moved to new facilities at the Arts Center of Western Manitoba located at 638 Princess Avenue. In 1989, it was renamed the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, and began to function as a "professional, regional art gallery." The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba relocated to 2-710 Rosser Ave. c. 2001.
Custodial History
These records were created at different times between 1907 and 1993, and remained in the possession of the administration of the above mentioned organizations until May 2001, when they where donated to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains administrative records, minutes, personal files, correspondence, newsletters, photographs, summaries of collections and exhibits, scrapbooks, programs, submitted papers, and other miscellaneous records. All are a record of the growth and evolution of the Art Club, its administration, and of the art community in Brandon.
The A.E. McKenzie Company fonds (RG 3 MG 1, 1.3) located in the McKee Archives contains some records, primarily correspondence and minutes, relating to the Brandon Allied Arts Council.
Former home of J.E. Smith, early farmer, horse breeder and businessman - died 1919. Became city property. To Allied Arts Council 1950's. Arts Centre moved to former Co-op Store, 600 block of Princess Ave. 1984.
[In 2000, the renamed Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba moved to the former Eaton’s building attached to The Town Centre (former Gallery Mall). P.E. 05/06/09]
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Former home of J.E. Smith, early farmer, horse breeder and businessman - died 1919. Became city property. To Allied Arts Council 1950's. Arts Centre moved to former Co-op Store, 600 block of Princess Ave. 1984.
[In 2000, the renamed Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba moved to the former Eaton’s building attached to The Town Centre (former Gallery Mall). P.E. 05/06/09]
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.