Robert Ihrig was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1931. His father Henry Ihrig, a designer and photographer, was born in Germany and immigrated to Stratford, Ontario. His mother, Emmamae Ewart, was originally from Stratford. Ihrig had two siblings, his older sister Agnes and younger brother Fritz.
Ihrig received his Master of Arts Degree from Michigan State University in 1956. He moved to Stratford in 1957. His career with the Stratford Festival spanned four decades. During his tenure with the Festival, Ihrig worked as a dresser (1957), prop maker (1958-1968), and founder and Director of the Exhibition Hall (1958-1960). He served as the Supervisor of Exhibits (1961-1968), Exhibits Coordinator (1990-1994, 1997-1998), and worked part time in the archives/exhibitions department (1998-2004). He won the Guthrie Award in 1958 for his redesign of the Stratford Festival Theatre Exhibitions held in the Stratford City Arena. Ihrig designed and curated many theatre projects including the 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th Stratford Festival Anniversary exhibitions; and assisted with the 50th Anniversary exhibition.
In 1966, Ihrig was the director of the Stratford Art Association, a group of painters who had been in existence since 1945 and were looking for a permanent location to display art. Ihrig approached Rothman’s Pall Mall of Canada Limited and persuaded them to fund the renovations to the former water works buildings on Romeo Street, and to provide annual grants to operate a gallery year around within the space. Ihrig designed and supervised the renovation of this new gallery, and was appointed its founding Director in September of 1966-1971. The gallery opened its doors under the name Rothman’s Art Gallery on June 16, 1967; and later became Gallery Stratford. Ihrig also designed the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery (1972-1980) where he was the director and curated many exhibitions including the Group of 7 exhibit in Sault St. Marie. He was a Curator at the London Regional Art Gallery — now Museums London (1980-1985).
Ihrig worked at the Stratford Chef’s school as a teacher of food styling, color coordination and photography. He was an original member of the artists’ cooperative Gallery 96, and a founding member of the Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) in Stratford — a residence and creative fellowship for senior members and associates of Canada’s entertainment industry.
Ihrig was a prolific artist who always maintained a studio in Stratford. His work included painting, drawing, sculpting and photography. He taught art classes in Stratford and initiated the Open Studio life drawing sessions that continue to this day at Gallery Stratford. His works are in the permanent collection of Michigan State University, the Stratford Festival Theatre, Gallery Stratford, as well as many private collections.
Robert Ihrig died in Stratford in November 2005.
LINKS
www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com
www.gallerystratford.on.ca
www.kwag.on.ca
www.londonmuseum.on.ca
www.stratfordchef.on.ca
www.gallery96.com
www.terrymanzo.com
www.factory163.com
www.palcanada.org
