Written & researched by Mary Ann Grant, OMAH History Committee
The Founder/Visionary/Trailblazer we recognize today is Don Ross.
When Don Ross and his wife Evelyn relocated from the Toronto to Orillia, the big city’s loss was Orillia’s gain. OMAH and other organizations have benefited from his leadership and commitment to the community.
Ninette Gyorody, OMAH Executive Director explained the pivotal roll that Don played in the establishment of the Sir Steele Gallery (the future OMAH).
“When Don Ross arrived in Orillia in the 1980s, he noticed the absence of a public art gallery. With a vision and idea in mind, Don brought together a group of like-minded individuals to create the Sir Sam Steele Art Gallery Foundation. When there was concern that the City of Orillia was intent on selling the Sir Sam Steele Memorial building, Don championed that the building was worth preserving and maintaining for a community art gallery. The gallery would showcase works of art by local artists and provide in-house educational programming for local schools. The success of the gallery, in synergy with the programs run by the Orillia Historical Society, was the catalyst for the development of the Orillia Museum of Art & History. Twenty-five years after the amalgamation of the two organizations it is an opportune time to thank Don and recognize his extraordinary vision and leadership.”
Sir Sam Steele Art Gallery Founding – enriching our community
Will McGarvey shared his recollections of community leader Don Ross during the challenging time of establishing an art gallery in Orillia and the amalgamation:
“It is difficult to imagine Orillia without OMAH, but there was a time not long ago where showcasing your art and history was never seen as a valuable cultural asset. The place that exists today was nothing but a dream that was envisioned well over thirty years ago by a small, dedicated group of citizens. The leader of that group was Don Ross, art lover, patron, historian and community-minded individual. It was no easy task to convince City Hall to support the visual arts. It was a struggle that had history in Orillia when noted Canadian artist and Orillia citizen Elizabeth Wyn Wood led and lost the fight to establish an art gallery in the 1940s. This in a community that was rich in artistic expression and is the hometown one of the iconic Group of Seven artists, Franklin Carmichael. Orillians are not a group that gives up the fight and the effort was rekindled by a group that recognized the benefit both culturally and economically.”
Image credit: Source – Orillia Museum of Art & History
First Chair Sir Sam Steele Art Gallery Committee (Foundation)
Will McGarvey further commented, “Don Ross was the first chairman of the Sir Sam Steele Art Gallery Committee (Foundation) and this group met formally beginning is the early 1990s. In November 1991 Don presented to a committee of City Council requesting they support the ongoing efforts of the Sir Sam Steele Gallery Foundation. By 1992 various sub-committees were hard at work to support the case for a public art gallery. These included Planning and Policy, Membership, Public Relations, Finance, Fundraising, Building and Program Coordination. Don took a lead role in many of these ongoing efforts to convince Orillia’s leaders to green light any unused space in a public building. By late 1992 the old courthouse in the back of the Sir Sam Steele building was identified as a good possibility. Finally, the city decided to provide some seed funding and to give permission to occupy the Sir Sam Steele space. Don and a group of volunteers arrived at the door with the key, armed with hammers and crowbars prepared to transform the space into a gallery.”
Thank You, Don
“Don continued an active role on the founding committee and as board chair and member through the early build days and during some of the gallery’s struggle to continue in our city. We are deeply indebted to him for his efforts to make this dream a reality and by his ongoing gifts of time, funding to the permanent collection. Thanks for all you have done to make our community more culturally rich and a better place to live.”
Jean Sarjeant also offered her thanks, “Don Ross was an excellent participant in the making of our wonderful museum. Without his influence and steady support, we might not be where we are today. Many residents of this City knew Don from his success in business and I am sure that helped the museum along the road to our success!”
Commitment to Art and History
Don continues to support art and history in our community. OMAH is fortunate to have paintings by local painter Youdan Stanton and fellow painter Conyers Barker in the collection, in part due to the generosity of Don and Evelyn Ross, and Bruce and Heather Stanton. Bruce Stanton commented:
“Because Don is ‘plugged in’ to the art, literature and history community in Orillia, he was aware of the Youdan Stanton collection becoming available. He reached out to people in the community, like us, who might have an interest in securing the collection. We were pleased to do so and we thank the other donors, in particular, Don and Evelyn, for making it possible. This initiative was Don’s commitment to the presentation and preservation of art in our community on full display.”
The notable character and qualities of any community will always be found in the way its people step up, lend a hand, and make that extra effort for the benefit of all.
Don’s selfless dedication to the arts community is a shining example.
We would be remiss if we did not mention some other areas where Don has contributed to our community. He established a successful independent bookstore, Manticore Books, the Orillia Literacy Council, the OMAH History Committee, presenter at The OMAH History Speaker Series, the Orillia Heritage Committee, the Orillia Hall of Fame, the Mayor’s University Task Force to bring the satellite campus of Lakehead University to Orillia and he was recognized with honorary Alumnus status for his outstanding commitment to Lakehead, to name a few. Dave Osborne said: “You could probably write a book on his contributions!” So True.
With thanks to
Bruce Stanton
Will McGarvey
Jean Sarjeant
Ninette Gyorody
Dave Osborne
City of Orillia Website
The Orillia and District Literacy Council website