Local carver captures spirit of Collingwood businesses in Museum’s newest exhibit

Community members are invited to view Garry Reid’s handcrafted collection at the Collingwood Museum

The Collingwood Museum is pleased to announce the newest installation in its Community Collector series.

Selected works by local carver Garry Reid will be on display at the Museum until March 31. Garry’s charming collection features handcrafted models of Collingwood’s iconic delivery wagons and vehicles, including Reid’s Superior Dairy, Seiggel’s Ice Delivery, Plater’s Delivery, and Smart Bros. Ltd. Florists.

The new exhibit will be paired with the Museum’s popular Community Collectors’ Night on Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 PM. The event will feature a live carving demonstration by Garry and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about his inspiration and process.

Museum staff encourage participants to bring a carving from their personal collections for a community show-and-tell. In the case of inclement weather, the event will take place on Wednesday, March 4.

Garry traces his passion for woodworking back to his childhood. He explains: “My collection was influenced by my mother’s brother, Uncle Bob Hilts. Sometime during the 1950s, he made a wooden model of my father’s 1949 REO truck as a Christmas present.” Hilts’ truck is featured in the centre of the new exhibit in honour of the inspirational role it played in Reid’s development as an artist.

In senior public school, Garry was introduced to carving by his woodshop teacher Larry Holbrook. In high school, Mr. W. A. Stevens introduced Garry to lathe-turning and Garry began turning wooden bowls.

In his retirement, Garry works out of his A-frame workshop where he turns bowls and pens, carves birds, and builds models of local business vehicles. He also makes doll cribs, truck piggybanks, and other items as gifts for his nieces and nephews.