Spoiler alert! Don't look at the interior photographs of the Small Arms Inspection Building below, if you want to be surprised completely at 2013 Doors Open Mississauga art show and WWII related demos Saturday, September 28, 10 am - 4 pm.
This remarkable 144,000 sq. ft. architecture has a rich history involving the war effort (where the Lee-Enfield Rifle was manufactured) , women's independence, and the revitalization of Lakeview, Mississauga (then Longbranch). It sits empty now, but is it any wonder that the space, high ceilings, huge windows and skylights,have inspired plans to renovate it as a world-class arts centre of working artist studios, performance space, art galleries, a museum and coffee shop?
To give you a hint of just how dynamic this centre will be, 30 artists (including myself) will show and sell their art. My portraits of people and polar bears will be at the end of the hall on the first floor.
Also in the works! Heather Brissenden will sing hits from the Blitz, the Lorne Scots (this was once their home, too) machine gun teams will compete, The Honorary Colonel Gerald Haddon will speak about J.A.D. McCurdy, the Canadian aviation pioneer and much, much more (really!).
There is plenty of free parking. Just find your way to Lakeshore Rd., and Dixie Rd, Mississauga, ON. For more info on what's on, how to get there, and about the Small Arms itself, please go to www.smallarms.ca