Signature Art Experiences | Arts | Avon Old Farms

Ordway Art Gallery

Driven by a passion for the arts, alumnus Gilman Ordway ’44 funded the first iteration of the Ordway Art Gallery on Avon’s campus in 1984.

The gallery originally occupied Avon's unused water tower. Today, the Ordway Art Gallery is located at the connection of the Beatson Performing Arts Center and the Brown Student Center, putting our community’s art on display in a central part of campus where our community walks every day.

Visitors to this unique space will find the creativity and energy of the Avon community is on full display in our Ordway Art Gallery. Hand-crafted oak cabinets created by our talented staff members and a rotating exhibit of alumni artwork fill the gallery. Other regular displays include Avonian award-winning art and current art class exhibits.

For more information about the Ordway Art Gallery, please contact:

Permanent Dedication Display to Honor Gail Laferriere

In 1970, Gail Tyskwicz Laferriere was hired as the first full-time female faculty member to live on the campus of Avon Old Farms School. Her job was to take hold of the scattered art department. Gail quickly became known around campus as ‘Mrs. L.’

Throughout her tenure at Avon, Mrs. L became synonymous with the visual arts at Avon - she planned annual art trips to New York City, helped develop award-winning yearbooks, and created the annual Commencement Art Show.

Also of note, Mrs. L was a guiding hand in the creation of the original Ordway Art Gallery housed in the water tower.

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