Reid leaving Woodstock Art Gallery ‘on a high point’

Mary Reid (right), pictured with Frances Thomas (left) at the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie for the touring exhibition "Ron Shuebrook and Frances Thomas: In Conversation" part of the Woodstock Art Gallery. Reid will be leaving her position as curator/director after Family Day to head to McMaster. (Alex McIntyre photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

After more than a decade, Woodstock Art Gallery’s director/curator will be taking on a new role.

Mary Reid will be leaving after Feb. 17 and will head the McMaster Museum of Art, starting in March. Reid said that the next chapter brings out a lot of emotions.

"I'm excited about the new opportunity. I'm excited to move into an academic environment, enjoying the team at McMaster,” she said. “I've long admired them as an organization. My predecessor Carol Podedworny, I've known her since I was in Grad School, so she's always been very inspirational for me.”

Reid admitted it is difficult to say goodbye.

"I'm very sad and emotional to leave the Woodstock Art Gallery. I have an amazing staff and a fantastic advisory board, a beautiful building and a supportive community. All of those things, so it’s mixed emotions. One minute I'm happy and another minute I'm like what am I doing so it's very bittersweet."

During Reid’s 10-and-a-half years with in the Friendly City, she had several interesting experiences including representing the gallery with the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC and London, UK. The Woodstock Art Gallery also had a co-production with the sister city in Sylvania, OH that showcased Canadian artists in Sylvania and American artists in Woodstock.

Reid’s last day is on Family Day, which is her favourite day of the year. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, she and the city’s culture department handed out healthy snacks before a morning movie at Gallery Cinemas. Family Day brings in the highest attendance for the Woodstock Art Gallery, with hundreds of families visiting.

"It's just great to see the awareness,” explained Reid. “The laughter and the enjoyment that people who are new to our community or maybe have lived here for many years take part in all of the different sets of city services that makes Woodstock a really special place to live."

Reid is looking forward to working in an academic environment and explore her research interests. She also said that embarking on the new chapter will bring growth opportunities for the Woodstock Art Gallery.

“Not that I want to leave (here), but also, I have been here for 10-and-a-half years,” she said. “I just think for the overall health of the organization, I'd like to leave on a high point when things are going well and allow that opportunity for fresh perspectives and new ideas which will just continue to build on the work that I've done and help the gallery succeed even better."