Curator Ben Portis dies in car crash.

by Jeffrey Spalding C.M., RCA (1951 - 2019)

July 22, 2017

3:01 PM

Ben Portis, Photo courtesy of The Dance Current

Some sad news. Curator Ben Portis has been killed in an auto accident near Barrie.

Ben Portis lived in Toronto. He was a former assistant curator of contemporary art at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and curator of the MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie. As a critic, he has contributed ‎to Border Crossings, Canadian Art, C Magazine, Hunter and Cook, and The Dance Current. He was a vibrant spirit and independent-minded thinker, ...and a very wonderful person, who will be missed.

— Jeffrey Spalding

Comments (5)

Comment Feed

A gifted curator and artist

Ben was a thoughtful and expressive arts curator. What a tragic loss. As a collector, I had to pleasure to work with him on an insightful exhibition at the MacLaren and also earlier in his career at the Art Gallery of Ontario. He had an artists' insight and a curator's eye. A rare combination that should have been more valued. I will miss him.

Barry Appleton more than 7 years ago

Still in Shock

I had the pleasure to work with Ben at the MacLaren and am saddened and shaken by his death. He was an interesting guy with a piercing mind and a great sense of humour.

Andre Beneteau more than 7 years ago

Re

Ben was a good egg - sincere to the core - sorry to see him go - E

Turner more than 7 years ago

difficult to believe

Deeply sorry to learn of this...

Gita Karklins more than 7 years ago

what a horrible tragedy ! Heartbreaking. My condolences to his family.

Susanna Heller more than 7 years ago

Ben Portis, Photo courtesy of The Dance Current

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