Cline House: An Art Gallery, A Gathering Place, An Education Centre, a Cultural Hub – Now Under Threat

During the ArtWalk held in July, I volunteered to represent the Cline House Gallery along with the Visual Arts Coordinator, Emily McLeod. As I chatted with people throughout the evening, I was shocked, perhaps even dismayed, with the number of folks who were unaware that the Cline House existed. Granted I am an artist and author and part of the arts community but I remain puzzled that a facility like this, located in the downtown area, is not a familiar Landmark.

So let’s talk about the Cline House and the value it adds to our community. First it is the only Art Gallery in SDG and A, a place which features both local artists as well as other Canadian talent, with new shows opening every 6-8 weeks. Some may say, so what, what does art offer me? Beauty, history, connections, education, and more. Art and culture feed our future artists, film makers, actors, performers, producers, designers, architects, teachers, and beyond. It opens eyes and hearts to new landscapes. It offers balance to the sciences and to sports and presents a progressive image of our community

Secondly, since the Cline House re-opened post-COVID, it has also provided a place for our young people and the student population to come, to learn about art and photography, to draw and sketch, to experience different art expressions and raise awareness. It is a place to interact with all generations and cultures; to open eyes to different worlds and ways of thinking; a place for deeper connection to each other and to foster creative ideas for the future.

Thirdly, the studio- part of the Cline House provides a gathering place for local artists who may not have studio space of their own, a place to collaborate and learn from one another. There are weekly courses offered in various mediums, with highly qualified teachers who come from across Canada to share their knowledge.

Fourthly, it is a place where collaboration occurs between Cline House and other agencies such as the Baldwin House, SASS, Social Development Council, New Horizons for Seniors, Doors Open Ontario and many of the local high schools. The gallery also provides a great backdrop for weddings, anniversary and birthday celebrations, meetings…the list goes on.

And yet….

Cline House was able to re-open in 2022, only after an anonymous donation was given to the city of Cornwall. This donation, and the subsequent management of the Cline House, was negotiated with the city administration – that is the city administrator and the mayor at the time. The donation covered the operating expenses of Cline House for three years, with the hope that the City of Cornwall would recognize the value that the Cline House adds to not only visual arts programming, but as an essential partner within the Recreational Programming for the city.

Of course, time marches on. We have a new mayor and a new city administrator. The Cline House Gallery in a precarious position. The original donation expires in early 2025, leaving the future of the Cline House in jeopardy as no guarantees have been offered by the city regarding ongoing financial support for this valuable community facility and resource.

Many of you will say, yes and there is a new Arts and Culture Centre being built. While this is true, the plans for this facility do not include space for the visual arts and there is no gallery space evident in the plans. It does not replace the various functions of the Cline House.

Others of you might say, find other funding. I agree. However, there is no funding for ‘operational expenses” from granting bodies. Other funding, which can be sourced through the Ontario and Canada Arts Council, is for specific projects. And yes, there needs to be a fundraising effort made to recruit corporate donors. Again, unless the city is willing to play their part, corporate donors will go elsewhere.

So, what can we all do.

Recently, when the funding for Aultsville Hall was being re-considered, the community responded with a letter writing campaign to city councilors and the mayor, by showing up at Council meetings and having a voice, by making noise. I am of the opinion that, if we as a community wish to secure the future of Cline House, we need to speak up. Remember, this is not a facility only for artists. As stated earlier, it fulfils many functions, it is a true community center, it is a tourist attraction and provides a way to nurture those talents we all want when we tune into our televisions every night or head to the theatre.

Cornwall has traditionally been a Sports Town. It still is and the budget for Sports and Recreation in our city far outweighs the investment in the arts. And yet, according to Ontario Tourism, arts tourism attracts much more in tourism dollars than sports tourism.

If we as residents of Cornwall want to see our city thrive economically and culturally, we cannot afford to lose Cline House. It is a treasure. It is of historical significance. It is an environment like no other. It should be recognized as such.

Betty Healey, with Susan and John Towndrow