Ian Mosley never expected that a visit to Regina, Saskatchewan, and the MacKenzie Art Gallery would profoundly reshape how he saw Canada—and himself. 

Based in Toronto, Ian, a demographer and statistician with an analytical career spanning three decades, has always cherished history and art. Yet, despite frequent visits to prominent Canadian institutions like the National Gallery in Ottawa and the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, it was the MacKenzie Art Gallery on the Canadian Plains that truly challenged his perspective. 

“My first visit to the MacKenzie was transformative,” Ian reflects. “I knew through high school history about the prairies’ significant role in forming Canada, but I had never experienced it firsthand. Walking into the Gallery, I immediately sensed its uniqueness. It wasn’t just another place showing conventional or imported exhibitions—it was genuinely rooted in its community.” 

Ian’s visits to the MacKenzie revealed to him the rich, often overlooked narratives of Indigenous communities, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized voices in Saskatchewan. Exhibits highlighting life on the Canadian Plains, truth and reconciliation, and diverse cultural histories provided him not only with new knowledge but with a profound emotional connection. 

“The MacKenzie provides history through art, and it’s incredibly disarming,” he explains. “As someone from a metropolitan centre, I thought I was well-informed, but the MacKenzie showed me how little I truly understood about Indigenous history, community struggles, and the ongoing path towards reconciliation.” 

One of the most significant impacts on Ian was the Gallery’s commitment to truth. “You can’t have reconciliation without truth, and that’s exactly what the MacKenzie provides,” he says. Through exhibitions, Ian found himself confronting his own biases and the gaps in his historical education. It became clear to him that supporting this unique institution was more than just appreciating art—it was about contributing to meaningful change. 

Moved by the Gallery’s impact and recognizing its importance in fostering cultural understanding, Ian became a donor. “I felt compelled to support the MacKenzie because it doesn’t just talk about inclusivity—it embodies it,” Ian emphasizes. “The MacKenzie actively educates visitors about the complexity and richness of Canada’s diverse communities, something I had not seen done so authentically elsewhere.” 

For Ian, supporting the Gallery is also about ensuring that more people have access to these transformative experiences. “Art galleries are places of low barriers; anyone can walk in and come out changed. By donating, I’m helping ensure others can experience the same eye-opening moments I did.” 

Ian Mosley’s journey from a curious visitor to a passionate advocate highlights the profound personal transformation that art and cultural institutions like the MacKenzie can inspire. For Ian, giving back to the MacKenzie Art Gallery is not merely philanthropy—it’s part of his ongoing commitment to learning, understanding, and supporting truthful dialogues across communities. 

“I’ll always come back,” Ian smiles. “The MacKenzie Art Gallery isn’t just part of my life; it’s part of my own personal journey towards becoming a better, more informed person.” 

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