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The Vernon Public Art Gallery, which will be moving into the new Cultural Centre (Vernon Matters file photo)
By Liam Verster
Art and Culture Donation

Vernon Public Art Gallery receives $1M donation

Apr 25, 2025 | 10:54 AM

The local art scene in Vernon is getting a significant boost.

The Vernon Public Art Gallery said the Galbraith Family Foundation had pledged a $1,000,000 legacy gift donation to the gallery.

These funds were intended to be used for the construction of the gallery’s new home in the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre, which is slated to begin in the summer.

The donation was made by the Galbraith family on behalf of their father, George, and in honour of their mother, Caroline.

“Mom would be absolutely thrilled. Art always played a big part of her life,” son Kyle Galbraith said in a release.

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Ian Galbraith, another son of George and Caroline, said the Vernon Public Art Gallery allowed their mother to “meet new friends, excercise her creativity and critical thinking, and get engrossed in the community.” He added the new gallery will be a place to bring people together as well.

“The Galbraith family are extremely generous in our community, and we recognize this leadership gift as a significant catalyst to our new facility and the fund-raising campaign overall,” Sarah Kennedy, Vernon Public Art Gallery’s Board Chair, said.

“This Gallery’s move into a permanent space will allow us to better collect, preserve and exhibit art.”

The Galbraith Family will be recognized for this contribution by having the new gallery’s primary exhibition space named the Caroline Galbraith Exhibition Hall.

Construction of the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre in downtown Vernon was expected to begin in the summer of 2025. A campaign was launched earlier this month to raise awareness about the project and collect donations to help offset the costs.

by Liam Verster
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