Art Gallery of Peterborough Recognized at 49th Annual GOG Awards
Peterborough, ON - The Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) is celebrating a Volunteer of the Year Award presented to two members of its Board of Directors, along with two shortlisted project nominations at the 49th Annual Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries (GOG) Awards.
"Together, the three recognitions reflect the dedication, creativity, and collaboration that support the gallery’s work and strengthen its connection with the community," said Celeste Scopelites, Director of the AGP. “The Art Gallery of Peterborough congratulates Debby Keating and Catharine Blastorah on their award and celebrates everyone involved in the two shortlisted projects. The gallery extends its gratitude to the artists, collaborators, staff, Board members, volunteers, and community members whose contributions make its work possible.”
Debby Keating and Catharine Blastorah, former President and Past President of the AGP Board of Directors, have received the Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of six years of dedicated service to the gallery. Beginning their service in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Keating and Blastorah helped guide the AGP through a period of significant change and unique challenges. Their sustained commitment has made a meaningful difference to the gallery, and the award is a fitting recognition of their contributions and an opportunity to express the Gallery’s deep gratitude for their tireless service.
The Museum of Closetry, by artist Spencer J. Harrison and curated by Lucas Azevedo Cabral, is shortlisted for Exhibition Design and Installation. Running from April 2025 through July 2025, this exhibit reimagined the AGP as a space for queer histories and identities that have been hidden, forgotten or erased.
Art + Waste in Panniqtuuq, which ran from July 2025 to October 2025, is shortlisted for Public Program. Curated and programmed by Micky Renders and Fynn Leitch, the project extended beyond the exhibition through artist talks, a speaking circle on environmental racism, a sewing circle and hands-on workshops led by participating artists. These opportunities invited audiences to engage with the artists’ work, knowledge and perspectives while creating space for dialogue around environmental responsibility, cultural identity, and self-determination.
The shortlist nominations recognize different but complementary aspects of the AGP’s work: the collaborative expertise required to create compelling exhibition experiences and the development of public programs that connect art with important ideas and community perspectives.
The GOG Awards are presented annually by Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries, a provincial arts service organization that supports public art galleries, art museums, artist-run centres and arts professionals. Now in its 49th year, the awards program is the only annual juried awards program of its kind in Canada, recognizing artistic merit, excellence and outstanding achievement across the public gallery sector.
More information on the shortlisted exhibits can be found at agp.on.ca. Winners of the shortlisted awards will be announced during a ceremony on Monday, November 30, 2026.
About the Art Gallery of Peterborough
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is a public art gallery dedicated to presenting contemporary visual art by artists from the Peterborough–Kawarthas region and across Canada. Through exhibitions, public programs and learning opportunities, the gallery connects people with art, ideas and one another. Admission is always free, with donations appreciated.
About Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries (GOG)
Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries is a provincial arts service organization that advances and supports Ontario’s public art galleries and the broader visual arts sector through advocacy, professional development and network-building. Its annual GOG Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and achievement among galleries, artists and arts professionals.