Gallery Stratford hosts book event celebrating Ontario’s architectural heritage
‘The Story of Ontario Architecture’ comes alive this February when author Shannon Kyles visits Gallery Stratford to share insights from her visually rich and thought-provoking new release.
Shannon Kyles is presenting her latest book, The Story of Ontario Architecture, at Gallery Stratford on February 5 in partnership with Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO). The book features numerous photographs of architecture from around the province, including ones from right here in Stratford.
“We’re so fortunate in Stratford to be surrounded by beautiful homes and historic buildings,” said Bettianne Hedges, a Gallery Stratford trustee. “Many of our members have a real love for architecture, and this felt like a natural fit. Architecture is absolutely an art form, and this event celebrates that.”
The idea behind the event grew from the popularity of Kyles’ book, which combines striking photography with accessible storytelling about Ontario’s architectural heritage. The gallery saw an opportunity not only to bring the author to Stratford, but to spark broader conversations about design, history and place.
“Architecture tells us so much about humanity,” Hedges said. “It’s about who we were, what we valued, and how we wanted to live. That aligns perfectly with the role of art in a community.”
Kyles is a Hamilton-based fine artist with a background in visual arts and said that her interest in architecture developed naturally through photography and travel.
“I found myself always photographing beautiful buildings,” Kyles said. “They tell stories, especially about who built them, why they built them, and what they wanted to express.”
Her book explores those stories while posing questions that many people overlook without realizing it.
“Why would someone in 1890 build a house that looks like something from 1400s England?” Kyles said. “Why would a post office be designed like a Romanesque fortress? There are reasons, and they’re fascinating.”
Kyles believes architecture is often overlooked as an art form, despite the emotional responses buildings can evoke.
“People are happy to share opinions about music or painting, but they’ll say they don’t know anything about architecture,” Kyles said. “But they do. Buildings make you feel something welcoming, inspiring, intimidated, or even comforted. That’s art.”
During her presentation, Kyles plans to highlight examples from Stratford and the surrounding region, an area she describes as rich in built heritage.
“When you drive around Stratford, St. Marys, and the countryside, it’s stunning,” Kyles said. “There’s so much history here, and so much we can learn from it.”
The evening will also touch on contemporary issues, including modern development and community planning. Kyles expressed concern that many new neighbourhoods prioritize size and profit over walkability and connection.
Tickets for the event. which starts at 6:30 p.m., are $20 and are available through the Gallery Stratford website, by visiting the gallery in person, or through the Architectural Conservancy Ontario. It’s something Hedges is very much looking forward to.
“It’s a chance to see our surroundings differently,” Hedges said. “That’s what great art and great architecture help us do.”
By Rob Ross, StratfordToday.ca
