‘Amazing experience’: Jon Hamm visits WAG-Qaumajuq while filming series

WAG-Qaumajuq staff say Emmy-winning actor Jon Hamm paid a visit to the gallery for a tour.

An acclaimed Hollywood actor got a tour of Winnipeg’s largest art gallery—staying for multiple hours to take in the artwork.

WAG-Qaumajuq tells CTV News that Jon Hamm dropped by the gallery with several crew members one weekend just before the winter holidays.

“It was an amazing experience to give them a tour. I felt really grateful to have had the opportunity,” said Colleen Leduc, the facility’s education and programs coordinator, noting they had a heads-up the actor would be dropping by.

“He mentioned he always likes to go to the art galleries in the cities and the communities that he’s filming in, if he gets a chance.”

The American actor is starring in the upcoming TV series “American Hostage,” which began filming in Manitoba last November. During production, Hamm was also spotted at Winnipeg Jets games, the Grey Cup, and plenty of restaurants around the city.

During the tour, Hamm told Leduc he was “really close” to his best friend’s mother growing up—an artist who taught him an appreciation for her craft.

“He was really thinking about her a lot and sharing that as we were going through the gallery,” she told CTV News Tuesday afternoon.

“He also expressed that he really wanted to learn a lot about the history of Canada and understand more about the land that he was filming on, which I thought was really lovely.”

Hamm, who is perhaps best known for playing Don Draper in the AMC series “Mad Men,” also displayed a keen interest in the Inuit art that’s presently on display.

Leduc said Hamm’s manager, Connie Tavel, was also there during the tour and had a friend’s artwork on display in the gallery’s Staycation exhibit.

“That was a really special part of the visit as well… and her getting to share about her friend,” she said. “I learned a lot about the artist who made the artwork from Connie, and she just was overwhelmed seeing the artwork.”

As for the series that Hamm was filming in Winnipeg, Leduc said he didn’t mention many details.

“We were really too busy talking about the artwork to get into his production,” she said.

“He did say how much he’s loved his time in Winnipeg, and he really wanted to take in all the different things he could do.”

The St. Louis-born actor, who was sporting his NHL home team’s scarf, also shared that he went to a Jets game and ended up “really enjoying it.”

Hamm also took the opportunity to get some holiday shopping done in the WAG-Qaumajuq’s gift shop.

“It was just a real honour to get to speak with him. He was just a lovely guy,” Leduc said.

As for other celebrities that have stopped at the gallery, Leduc said she’s aware of several that have visited since she joined WAG-Qaumajuq in 2014 – including the Fonz himself, Henry Winkler.

“He just walked in. Nobody had any announcements that he was coming,” she said.

“He was so gracious with the staff and guests that wanted to talk to him and take pictures.”

Leduc said former prime minister Justin Trudeau has visited from time to time, as well as local celebrities like pop singer and songwriter Begonia.

“I personally always get excited seeing famous artists that I know come into the gallery.”