When reviewing academic literature I have come across the
idea that art and culture occur primarily in urban areas. Not so historically. It is certainly not a reality in our
daily lives as Canadians.
In the age of globalization and electronic communication,
more and more folks can live in areas of their choosing. Quality of life
choices abound and community profiles in rural and rural urban communities are
shifting to include art and culture as an economic sector.
So it should not be surprising that not only have art and
cultural expression always existed in rural areas, as detailed in the writings
of Canadian community development scholar Jim Lotz, but the rigour of art and cultural contributions to our smaller communities is changing
nationally.
For instance in October 2008 AyrSpace Gallery opened our doors as a
community economic development initiative based on social enterprise – offering
those in our often-ignored art and cultural sector a place to exhibit and
sell their work. After the global
economic downfall a few months earlier much of our small downtown was in
transition.
We were not the only small Canadian community gallery to
morph out of an economic downturn. As a result of International Women Celebrate! our exhibition for the 100th Anniversary of
International Women’s Day in 2011, we met scores of artists from around the
world. We stayed in touch with a range of Canadian artists from coast to coast.
With that opportunity came the awareness of other art galleries in small
communities.
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| Swoon Fine Art |
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| Bluerock Gallery |
Karen captured the sentiment of what I believe is the key to
developing a gallery that folks collect from and keep coming back to. We, as gallerists, take the
responsibility of presenting artists that demonstrate the rigour of art making
as part of their everyday lives. It is that exciting component of who they are as individuals, in
orchestration with their formal or informal, academic or empirical training which attracts and compels us.
‘The artists I’m most
honoured to represent – are the ones who MUST make art – they really don’t have
a choice.” Karen Gimbel 2014
In fact all three of us are committed to showcasing working
artists, not for only for the artworks they produce but as a catalyst of change
in our society and in our local communities as a demonstration of professional
creativity. Engagement is a thread in
our discussion.
“Often an artist can feel like an outsider
and misunderstood. Through years of being involved in the community I continue
to build up a skill set in which I can not only represent other artists but
also encourage and mentor them along the way. Having this personal interaction
and watching artists grow and develop, impacts me just as much as it does those
I work with.” Brandt Eisner 2014
What to expect from
our destination galleries in the New Year? Brandt is taking “Swoon” away from
bricks and mortar. Online, Pop-up exhibitions in the Halifax Regional
Municipality and guest curating are included in his new direction.
Karen is expanding the
already vigorous offerings of Bluerock Gallery to included art instruction,
participatory art and meaningful ways of artists interacting with their
following in Alberta and beyond.
AyrSpace Gallery is
exploring partnerships in new community projects, presenting two
interdisciplinary shows in 2015 and continuing to introduce folks to thoughts
and daily lives expressed as works of art by exceptional professionals from
across Canada.
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| AyrSpace Gallery |
Jill Yuzwa – Gallerist – AyrSpace Gallery – Ayr, Ontario Canada
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