Self-reflection and a window to the world

By Carolyn Sloan

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

“Bear River has told everybody that we’re an artist community. Now we have a place that we can prove it to them.”

For visitors, The Bare Canvas is a window into the Bear River they have come to see, she explains. For the local community, it's a reflection of their own talent and creativity, which, over the past month, has already become a point of pride.

Bear River’s Simone Sleeth-Wilson had long been talking about the need for a space where local artists could show their work, but it wasn’t until others started chiming in, offering to help, that she started taking her vision seriously. With longtime friend Sandra Wiseman-Burrell on board, she started hunting for a location, and discovered the ideal space downtown in the IOOF building, owned by the Legion. Four coats of paint on the wall, and some wax on the floors, and the new artist co-operative gallery and studio was ready for its grand opening July 1st.

Now, 23 artists from Bear River and the surrounding area have become members, helping to create a diverse, supportive and collaborative art environment. Each is expected to pitch in, says Wilson, and most take turns watching the gallery.

“A ton of people just descended and I couldn’t believe the quality of art,” she recalls. “They’re really supportive of each other. It’s astonishing.

“I think as an artist, you can’t survive without other artists around you. You need that push and pull, that support.”

From handmade wood furniture and sculpture, to jewelry, abstracts, oil paintings and watercolours, the gallery offers a wide range of art. In addition to the display space, a small studio in the front room, visible from the street, affords passers by an opportunity to watch artists as they work.

When someone sells a painting, everybody celebrates. As a co-op, the space is more of a community venue than commercial enterprise.

“The gallery isn’t here to make money,” says Wilson. “The gallery is here to support artists.”

“The energy of all the other paintings inspires me,” Burrell explains. “[After being at the gallery], I always end up going home and painting.”