{ July 12, 2024 Stratford Times Gallery Stratford presents pieces from Salah Bachir’s closet EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent A variety of black-and-white photo- graphs of celebrities, paintings and pop art that entrepreneur Salah Bachir col- lected are on display at Gallery Stratford. The gallery will display the exhibition, “Not by Andy Warhol Art is for Every- one: Selections from Salah Bachir’s Clos- et,” until Oct. 13. Bachir, the former pres- ident of Cineplex, founder of Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Health Centre and founding member of Phamous Characters, is also an activist for the 28SLGBTQIA+ commu- nity and a lifelong supporter of the arts. The works on display are selected pieces from his collection of art he purchased over the years from artists and photog- raphers well known either in Canada or across the globe. "The closet part is a reference to the fact that he has been downsizing and moving and changing home locations,” said Robert Windrum, Gallery Stratford interim director and curator. “A lot of the work that you view here is work that hasn't been on display or in his homes. It's work that's | been in storage that he hadn't even seen.” Bachir and his pushed Jacob, sopped, by the june vy be ‘Windrum’: : ees with the Stratford Times. nyt NOT BY ANDY WARHOL sa | Le F a a | i mel (ROBERT WINDRUM PHOTO) achir A variety of work purchased by ate, ala will be on display at Gallery Stratford as part af the newest ane ‘Not by Andy Warhol “Both kept remarking, "Wow, haven't seen that one in a long time and it's great to see it with so much space and so much room,’ ” Windrum said. The “Not by Andy Warhol” title is a ref- erence to an art print by Sunday B. Morn- ing of Marilyn Monroe, which Andy Martel signed “this is not by me — Andy rotest of the mass production a rent paintings. Celebrities such as Catharine Hepburn and James Dean Art is for Everyone: Selections from Salah Bachir’s clos are also pathy in the exhibition through the photography collection. There ar also sculptures and drawings by Mon- treal artist Betty Goodwin that showcase o anxiety, curiosity, bliss and sadness, the playful works of Alan Belcher. and pho- tographs by Annie Liebowitz. "It's an exhibition that is almost as much about the collector as it is the col- lection because there are so many stories associated with each of the works,” Win- drum said. Bachir released his book, “The First to Leave the Party: My Relationships with People Who Happen to Be Famous,” where each of the 52 chapters highlights his memories with Marlon Brando, Liza Minelli, Celine Dion and other celeb- rities. The book will be sold at Gallery Stratford with all proceeds supporting the gallery and its programmin; Gallery Stratford will have its ‘Summer Exhibition on Saturday, July 27 from 1-4 p.m. with refreshments from Peter and Paul Maranger and live entertainment by Tim Elliott and Beverly Maranger. Patrons will also have a chance to check out the “Not by Andy Warhol” exhibition from 12-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sun- days until it closes. For more information, visit gallerystratford.on.ca. New turtle-crossing signs in Stratford GARY WEST After 88 years of family ownership Tavistock is having a “Retirement Sale” Furniture of Well known for QUALITY FURNITURE and CUSTOMER SERVICE “The Business Built With Satisfied Customers” 66 Woodstock St. Monday — Friday 9 — 6 pm, Saturday 9-5 pm TAVISTOCK 519-655-2431 North, Tavistock Times Correspondent The City of Stratford has followed its en- ergy and environment advisory commit- tee’s ion for turtl i signs to be installed on John Street near the Avon River bridge. The recommendation was made after hearing from local residents that turtles had been observed trying to cross the road at that location and some had been struck by vehicles. In late June and early July, turtles, look- _ ing for nesting sites to lay their eggs, crawl up the banks of a river or lake and travel surprising distances to find a good site. This can be a perilous journey if roads are nearby. The city’s energy and environment advi- sory committee heard from local residents living near the John Street bridge. The turtles were observed trying to cross the road near the bridge. Some had made it but others had been struck by vehicles. The committee recommended the city install turtle crossing signs on either side of the John Street bridge to raise aware- ness that turtles sometimes cross there, and to encourage motorists to drive cau- tiously in that area to avoid hitting them. The signs were installed recently and additional signs may be installed at other locations in the city in the future. If you see an injured turtle, Scott Gillingwater at the UTRCA may be able to help at 519-451-2800. SLOW MOVING cs ace (CRAIG MERKLEY PHOTO) The City of Stratford pated installed turtle-crossing photos on John Street South near the Avon River bridge. a : . ; =