Alice Peck Slavin (1929–2000)

Gallerist/Artist

Alice Peck Slavin (1929–2000)

Alice Peck Slavin was a prominent Canadian gallery owner, artist, and community leader, widely remembered as the founder of the Alice Peck Gallery in Burlington, Ontario. Operating for over two decades, her gallery became the premier art venue in Southern Ontario outside of Toronto and played a pivotal role in launching the careers of several notable Canadian artists. The Alice Peck GalleryIn 1959, Slavin purchased an 1847 heritage home at 2100 Lakeshore Road in Burlington. The following year, she opened The Treasury of Canadian Handicrafts. In 1961, she expanded the space to include a formal art gallery.

Life and LegacyPrior to opening her gallery, Alice Peck Slavin was an active participant in local affairs and served as the first president of the Zonta Club of Hamilton. In 1987, she and her husband Bernard Slavin closed the gallery and moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake to enjoy their retirement, where she focused on reading, traveling, and her own artwork. She passed away in August 2000. For further details regarding the historical archives of her gallery's exhibitions, you can consult the Burlington Public Library Digital Archive.

Archive Record Curriculum Vitae Open
  • Showcasing New Artists: The gallery was instrumental in exhibiting emerging local talent, with fresh shows featured almost every month.
  • The Robert Bateman Debut: In 1967, the gallery hosted the first-ever one-man show for renowned Canadian naturalist painter Robert Bateman.
  • Closure: The Alice Peck Gallery operated until the spring of 1987. The gallery provided artists with vital early career support and cemented Slavin's legacy as a cornerstone of the regional arts community.