As we recognize National Volunteer Week here at the Gallery, we wanted to acknowledge Mary Henderson, who celebrates 50 years as an AGO Volunteer.
We chatted with Mary to find out more about her time here, and what she’s experienced in this exciting role.
What made you decide to volunteer with the AGO?
I was invited to volunteer at the AGO by two friends who were already volunteering – Marni Wigle and Meredith Saunderson. I don’t like shopping so it was a perfect way to spend a bit of time away from a young family.
What is your volunteer position, and what do you enjoy the most about it?
Presently I am a Gallery Guide. Meeting the public is so interesting – I seem to start talking before I take my coat off. Visitors to the Gallery are so diverse and from so many parts of the world.
I began in the 1960s as a member of the Junior Committee. Our mandate was to bring people into the Gallery, so we served home-cooked lunches in Walker Court to encourage people to visit the Gallery during the day. We also held events in the then-named Long Gallery.
Art Rental was the beginning of my art education. Thanks to the late, long-time volunteer Carol Sprachman, we had an exhibition space to display the works. We selected works by many of Canada’s well-known artists from commercial dealers, and installed them with the help of the Gallery’s art preparators. We held a ceramics exhibit as well as a photography exhibit very close to the time that the AGO purchased its first photograph (1977).
In 1979, the Gallery was planning to have volunteer docents guide the public. I was asked and of course said yes. David Wistow was our first mentor, and I am the only one still serving as a Gallery Guide from that group. Eve de Langley left last year but she is now an information guide.
I really look forward to meeting with the other Gallery Guides each week. We discuss “What’s New” over lunch and help each other out in the galleries. We all like this aspect of our placement.
Do you have a favourite work of art in the collection, or a favourite exhibition? And why?
I am fickle about favourites. Right now I’m caught up with Michael Snow’s Walking Woman and Atlantic. His intellect is so amazing.
My favourite show: Roald Nasgaard’s European Iceberg. It opened us up to the world. The show used the entire Gallery in 1985, and so many people were involved in producing it. The AGO purchased some of those works, so we now have an excellent collection of that post-war era.
How do you feel volunteers contribute to the AGO’s success?
We are a concerned bunch, who love the Gallery and the collection and our friendly, open style is really welcoming to anyone coming to visit. We take our positions seriously and spend time getting to know “what’s happening” each week we are here.
What are one or two of your favourite memories from your time as a volunteer?
The Barnes was another great show that was admired throughout North America. The volunteer party after it opened was amazing. Organized by Gretchen Ross and Bev Stodgell, its theme was the “Barn”, complete with a petting zoo in the main lobby, and Rodin’s Adam was installed in an outhouse complete with crescent moon on the door. I also love to see the looks on people’s faces as they enter Galleria Italia. I also enjoy how much the Henry Moore Centre amazes people, especially our British visitors.
Congratulations Mary for volunteering for 50 years at the AGO!