EX LIBRIS Gallery and Sculpture Garden is located in a secluded spot on the wooded slopes of the Niagara Escarpment; part of a Global Biosphere Reserve, in Ontario, Canada. The Niagara Region - one of Canada's premiere tourist destinations attracts visitors year-round, to view the natural wonder of Niagara Falls, visit world-class wineries and theatre.

EX LIBRIS is the home and studio of sculptor Uga Drava whose large scale works in bronze and granite form part of a changing display of sculpture on the property along with works of other international artists. Various aspects of the sculpture process take place in the studio. The studio can be opened for viewing and instruction by special arrangement.

The EX LIBRIS Gallery is housed in a charming cottage on the property which also accommodates visiting artists. The collection is comprised of sculpture, painting and graphic works, from around the world. When not in use by visiting artists, Pelham Cottage oeprates as a B&B.

Each year, the Gallery sponsors an EX LIBRIS Competition, inviting art students and young artists to create miniature original works in the form of bookplates, symbolically depicting the unique personality or life philosophy of an interesting individual. The winning entries are awarded cash prizes and a special exhibition of all submitted works, is mounted in the fall, to coincide with the Niagara Region's Grape and Wine Festival.

EX LIBRIS Philosophy is to promote the use of traditional materials and techniques focusing on excellence in craftsmanship. Driven by personal taste and personal funds (EL receives no external sources of funding), the gallery and sculpture garden will evolve in accordance with the personal beliefs of the owners. The purpose of this web page is to provide information about our project and to invite like- minded people to visit and participate.

Special Events
The gallery and sculpture garden highlight new works by Uga Drava and host changing exhibitions of sculpture, painting and graphics by international artists, throughout the year. The Ex libris Exhibition and Harvest Picnic are planned as annual events.

The Property:
Nestled among the orchards and vineyards on top of the Niagara Escarpment, the quiet and secluded site of the studio complex, can be accessed from a network of windy country roads around Shorthills Provincial Park. It is a 15 min drive from Niagara Falls; 25 min from Niagara-on-the-Lake and 1.5 hours from Toronto.

Area Attractions:
Niagara Falls; Niagara-on-the-Lake and Shaw Festival Theatre; Niagara Wine Route, Bruce
Trail; Balls Falls and St. John's Conservation areas ; Niagara Botanical Garden and Butterfly Conservatory; Lake Erie beaches, golf courses .

Local Scene
Seasonal produce from local farmers is available within walking distance from the Gallery and Sculpture Garden. The site is surrounded by apple, pear, peach and cherry orchards as well as tomato, pumpkin and vegetable farms. Farm fresh eggs, homemade pies, maple syrup, honey are locally produced. Specialty nurseries sell: rhododendrons, azaleas and a wide variety of herbs.

Arranging a Visit.
Visits to the studio, gallery and sculpture garden can be arranged by appointment.

Hidden in a valley on top of the Niagara Escarpment, the sculpture garden is a work in progress, both in a horticultural and artistic sense. The site has an unusual and complex terrain. It is both hilly and flat.; formal and wild.The wide expanses of lawn are enclosed by terraced slopes once used for grape production; old farm fences divide the cultivated portions of the garden from the wild woodland slopes. The garden has spectacular vantage points, open vistas and hidden seating areas ideal for contemplating sculpture. The mild climate of the Niagara Peninsula ensures luxuriant plant growth. The majestic forms of individual walnuts, hickories, oaks and spruce enhance the park-like setting of the sculpture garden.

The site provides opportunities to display permanent and changing exhibits of outdoor sculpture in a variety of settings and backdrops.The sculpture garden is primarily an extension of Uga Drava's sculpture studio and serves to display his large-scale outdoor works in granite and bronze. It is also a site for collaborative works between designers and artists and has the potential for future sculpture symposia.

To Contribute a Sculpture
If an artist is interested in working on the site and making a contribution to the sculpture garden, in keeping with the owner's philosophy of using traditional materials and techniques, then electricity, air, water and simple accommodation can be made available to visiting artists. Details are provided on an individual basis and artists can submit proposals to be considered for the sculpture garden. Contact:uga@ugadrava.com

To Arrange a Visit
Visits to the studio, gallery and sculpture garden can be arranged by appointment only. School groups are welcome. Contact: uga@ugadrava.com

Sculptures
Uga Drava is a sculptor working mainly in bronze and granite in what could be described as an 'organic pattern-recognizing' style. His works are regularly exhibited by galleries in North America and internationally. He works on private commissions ranging in size from indoor bronzes to large scale public commissions in granite. The sculpture garden, gallery and studio are being developed to facilitate the creation and exhibition of his work.

Education
Modelling, mold-making, plaster casting, carving, bronze finishing, patinating all take place in the studio, depending on the artists current projects. Demonstrations of technique and studio tours to educational groups can be made by special arrangement. An experienced instructor, Uga holds sculpture and drawing classes as well as considers apprentices for stone carving. A Visiting Artists programme is planned for the future in conjunction with exhibitions at the gallery.

Sculpture Symposia
Stone carving is a seasonal activity and takes place in an outdoor carving area. Participation in international sculpture symposia is part of Uga Drava's work. As a result, he is acquainted with a wide circle of artists from various parts of the world who share a similar respect for traditional materials and techniques and whose work is on display in the gallery.

In 1994 Uga organized an International Granite Sculpture Symposium in Toronto. As the sculpture garden evolves, there may be opportunities for select, invitational symposia on the site in the future. Artists interested in this concept should make personal contact.

Ex Libris - From the Library of....
An Ex Libris is an exclusive property mark, dating back to the 15th c. and the invention of Gutenbergs printing press. It is a characterization of the book owners individuality and a depiction of his cultural, artistic and professional interests. For the artist, it represents a symbol interpreted in the language of art. An Ex Libris today, is both a functional bookplate and a work of art.

 

Each year, the gallery sponsors a competiton and invites students and young artists to create miniature original works in the form of bookplates, symbolically depicting the unique personality or life philosophy of an interesting individual. The winning entries are awarded cash prizes and a special exhibition of all submitted works, is mounted in the fall, to coincide with the Niagara Regions Grape and Wine Festival.

The competition is planning to resume next year and is looking for new sponsors.