Museum Lighting
“Exhibition lighting engages with the visitor, letting them both appreciate the works in front of them while giving them a gentle nudge to the next.”
David's introduction to museum lighting design came in a roundabout way. He was the lighting director for a local telethon when the show's producer, who also had a contract with an Ottawa museum, mentioned that there was a small exhibition that needed a design and would this be of interest.
Recognizing an opportunity David happily accepted.
With positive feedback afterwards, he began adding some of Canada's leading cultural institutions to his client base and over the last 30 years has provided lighting designs for close to 800 exhibitions ranging from Canadian folk art to Egyptian antiquities, 300 year old silk kimonos to medieval armour… and virtually everything in between.
He has collaborated with some of the best local and national project teams as well as international ones such as from Russia's Samara Regional Museum for “Masters of the Plains” (Canadian Museum of Civilization), The Senator John Heinz History Center of Pittsburgh, Pa for “Clash of Empires” (Canadian War Museum), The Deutsches Hygiene-Museum for “War and Medicine” (Canadian War Museum),and the British and Australian War Museums for “Art and War” - the Canadian War Museum's inaugural art exhibition just to name a few.
His ease and ability to collaborate and openness to always be learning and growing professionally, coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of creative, technical and conservation requirements in a museum setting makes him a highly valued and sought after design and installation professional.
Years Active : 1990 - present
TESTIMONIALS
“On behalf of the Senator John Heinz History Center of Pittsburgh, Pa., I would like to congratulate you for your expert and highly successful lighting design for our major exhibition, ‘Clash of Empires: The War That Made Canada’."
David F. Halaas, Ph.D. Project Director, Clash of Empires
“David Magladry's work with us on the French River Visitor Centre gallery for Ontario Parks was characterized by highly creative, expressive design. His working method included sensitive conceptual development and a generous collaborative approach. The depth of David's experience in theatres, galleries and museums made him a formidable resource, and his enthusiasm and energy made him an absolute pleasure to work with. I will not hesitate to recommend this outstanding professional for future work.”
Philip Beesley Exhibition Designer MRAIC OAA Associate Professor, University of Waterloo
"Please accept my thanks for the superb lighting of our Canvas of War exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. This was our biggest exhibit ever and the lighting made it work even better than I had hoped. I am most grateful."
J.L. Granatstein - Director and CEO - Canadian War Museum
“I would like to thank you for the great job you did with the exhibition “Canada Under Attack”. Your work gave the exhibition a dimension we did not imagine it could have. Your comprehension of what the exhibition needed was remarkable.”
Steve Lévesque Project Manager - Exhibitions, Canadian War Museum
"Mr. Magladry produced a dramatic creative blend of theatrical and exhibit display lighting that stimulated the most accustomed eye."
Pierre Schnubb - Project Manager
"Imperial Austria: Treasures of Art, Arms and Armour from the State of Styria"
"Mr. Magladry worked closely with my staff to ensure that lighting was delivered on time and to our specifications. He provided creative and cost effective solutions to the many lighting challenges found in this complex project involving museum exhibitry and architectural features. I also found him to be a pleasure to work with."
Kim McDougall - Manager - Canadian Children's Museum
"He will continue to work on a project until the client is happy."
Dr. Laura Brandon, Curator of War Art - Canadian War Museum
“He is flexible, adaptive and above all pleasant in his approach" .
Stephen Racine - Head of Exhibition Preparation, Conservation and Technical Services - Canadian Museum of Civilization
“On behalf of the Director of the Canadian Children’s Museum, myself and my staff, we want you to know how much we valued your expertise, resourcefulness and commitment to deliver high quality product for our multi-phased Canadian Children’s Museum Renewal Project. I would like to personally acknowledge your quick responses, ease at working alongside numerous contractors during installation and calm demeanor.”
Lynn McMaster - Manager - Programme and Planning - Canadian Children’s Museum
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION DESIGN EXPERIENCE (museum as client)
Canadian War Museum
140+ temporary exhibitions - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2005 – 2020)
Canadian Children's Museum
38 temporary exhibitions - Exhibition Lighting Designer (1994 - 2007)
Canadian Museum of Civilization (now Canadian Museum of History)
500+ temporary exhibitions - Contracted Resident Exhibition Lighting Designer (1990 - 2004)
Canadian Postal Museum
26 temporary exhibitions - Exhibition Lighting Designer (1997 - 2004)
The Bank of Canada Currency Museum
12 temporary exhibitions - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2002 - 2006)
National Gallery of Canada
Antonio Canova sculpture “Dancer” - Lighting Consultant (2002)
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION DESIGN EXPERIENCE (Exhibit Design Firms as client)
“Alex Janvier - Thirteen Moons “
Peter Poole – Juniper Hotel - Lighting Design and Consultation for Banff Centre installation (2018)
“Alex Janvier - Thirteen Moons “
The Royal Canadian Geographic Society @ 50 Sussex - Atelier Amberbrook / Cicada Creative - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2017)
“Canola - Seeds of Innovation”
Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum - Reich & Petch - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2017)
“Air War”
Canadian War Museum - Reich & Petch - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2017)
“NCC - A Capital Plan”
The Royal Canadian Geographic Society @ 50 Sussex - Atelier Amberbrook / Cicada Creative - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2017)
“Trench Culture”
Canadian War Museum - Expographiq - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2008)
“Caring Profession”
Canadian Museum of Civilization - Reich & Petch - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2006)
“Riches from the Sea – The Newfoundland Cod Fishery”
Canadian Museum of Civilization - Lauren Kinsella Design Associates - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2006)
“Art and War”
Canadian War Museum Inagural Art Exhibit - Expographiq - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2005)
“Cool 60's Design”
Canadian Museum of Civilization - Atelier Amberbrook - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2004)
PERMANENT EXHIBITION DESIGN EXPERIENCE (museum as client)
Canadian Canoe Museum
25,000 sq ft (2322 sq m) exhibition space - Exhibition Lighting Designer (1997)
Canadian Children’s Museum
22,000 sq ft (2044 sq m) exhibition space - Exhibition Lighting Designer(1995)
Canadian Postal Museum
9,000 sq ft (836 sq m) exhibition space - Exhibition Lighting Designer (1997)
Bank of Canada Currency Museum
5,000 sq ft (464 sq m) exhibition space - Exhibition Lighting Designer (1998)
Ontario Parks French River Visitors Centre
5500 sq ft (510 sq m) exhibition space - Exhibition Lighting Designer (working with BSN / Philip Beesley Architecet / Expographiq (2006)
National Capital Commission – 2004
Ottawa Information Centre Stairwell Gallery - Exhibition Lighting Designer (2004)