By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Art Gallery of Burlington is about to wrap up its 50th anniversary All Guilds Show, held from August 23 to September 7, 2025. This milestone exhibition carried extra weight — it may be the last of its kind as the gallery prepares for redevelopment and a shift in operations. For two weeks, the show united the creative forces of six longstanding guilds that have shaped Burlington’s cultural identity for decades: the Burlington Fine Arts Association, the Burlington Handweavers and Spinners Guild, the Latow Photographers Guild, the Burlington Potters Guild, the Burlington Hooking Craft Guild, and the Burlington Sculptors and Carvers Guild.
The show featured exactly 117 artists, with each guild member invited to submit one work. From wood carvings to fibre arts, paintings, photographs, ceramics, and rug hooking, the exhibition offered a wide-ranging view of creativity thriving within Burlington. More than just an art display, the All Guilds Show has long served as a testament to the endurance of community-based art practices and the partnerships that have allowed them to flourish.
“This is a privilege,” said Bruce Smith of the Burlington Sculptors and Carvers Guild, reflecting on having his piece Life’s a Dance displayed. “To be able to show my progress after two years of guild membership means a lot. Our guild creates in wood, clay, stone, plaster, wire, resin, and other materials. Only a few of our members entered a piece for this show. You would see more at our two annual all-guild sales. But the All Guilds Show gives us a platform to be seen, to connect, and to keep traditions alive.”
That spirit of connection resonates throughout the guilds. The Burlington Handweavers and Spinners Guild, one of the founding guilds behind the original Burlington Cultural Centre, now called the Art Gallery of Burlington, marked its own long history alongside the anniversary celebrations.
“From those early days, we’ve grown and evolved, yet our passion for sharing the art of weaving, spinning, and allied fibre arts has never changed,” said guild member Margaret Jane Wallace. “Since 2015, the All Guilds Show has brought together all the guilds of Arts Burlington to showcase our creativity under one roof. It’s been a wonderful way to celebrate our shared love of craftsmanship with the wider Burlington community.”
She added that the guild is committed to inspiring new generations. “We love sharing our craft with the community, and we welcome visitors of all ages to discover the joys of weaving and spinning. These events are a wonderful way to encourage curiosity, invite people to try their hand at the craft, and inspire a new generation to keep these traditions alive.”
Photography also played a vital role in this year’s exhibition. “Photography has been central to the history of the All Guilds Show and its success over the past five decades,” said K. Jennifer Bedford of the Latow Photographers Guild. “The guilds at the Art Gallery of Burlington are the heart of the institution. Without their dedication and support, the gallery would never have become what it is today. Every year brings an incredible range of work, and this year is no exception.”
The Burlington Fine Arts Association, established in 1966, has long been a cornerstone of the city’s creative community. What began in borrowed spaces has grown into a vibrant collective known for hosting workshops, programs, and juried exhibitions. With a focus on accessibility and artistic growth, the association continues to nurture creativity and foster a love of the fine arts across Burlington.
The Burlington Potters Guild, founded in 1969, shared a similar spirit. “We began as a small group gathered in a living room, hoping to exchange ideas and encourage each other. Over the years, we’ve grown into a vibrant community welcoming everyone from complete beginners to professionals,” said Monika Schaefer, a member of the executive team. Today, the guild includes 138 full studio members, 19 associate members, and six lifetime members.
She added that the guild also encourages excellence by recognizing its members. “The Burlington Potters Guild, in particular, offers awards to our members participating in this show. We hosted an awards night, where our juror, Scott Barnum — a well-known potter with over 50 years of experience from Dundas, Ontario — spoke at length about each piece the potters had submitted, giving valuable critiques with suggestions on how to move forward.”
Schaefer continues, “The awards given out were as follows: Best in Show: Nikola Wojewoda; Best Functional Award: Elise Chung; Best Non-Functional Award: Monika Schaefer; Arts Burlington Award: Mary Gon; and the Jeannette Edwardes Beginner Award: Elise Chung.”
“Our mission has always been to promote a greater interest in pottery among the public, and the All Guilds Show allows us to do just that,” Schaefer said.
The Burlington Hooking Craft Guild, part of the Arts Burlington umbrella, plays a vital role in preserving the tradition of rug hooking, while also encouraging fresh, creative approaches to the craft. Its presence in this milestone anniversary underscored the importance of passing down skills and keeping this time-honoured art form alive for future generations.
“Memories of Apeldoorn” by Shirley Stafford.
While the exhibition was celebratory, it also unfolded at a time of change. The Art Gallery of Burlington is exploring renovations and restructuring that could significantly alter the role of the guilds within the organization.
Smith expressed concerns about the direction of these plans. “AGB wants to take over the operation of the guilds, which will impact in two to three years the membership and the skills these guilds have to offer. If the gallery goes in that direction, it may be a grim future, and the guilds could disappear after a few years.”
The AGB’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan notes the need to “rethink the relationship with the guilds, opening the door to new generations of makers while honouring the guilds’ legacy to create inclusive, flexible studio spaces that support a wide range of artists and community users while still sustaining the guilds’ creative presence.” Burlington Local News reached out to the Art Gallery of Burlington for comment on these proposed changes, but did not hear back before publication.
For now, the All Guilds Show remains a testament to what can happen when artists come together across disciplines. As it has for five decades, the exhibition reflected not only individual creativity but also the strength of community — the weaving together of traditions, talents, and generations that has made Burlington’s arts scene uniquely its own.
