![SUMMER SALON: Since the year 2000, Artique, in various locations, has been a refuge for local artists to display their work. [From left] art collective members Eve Jones, Gwen Welp and Janet Southcott.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/events/2835_artique_salon_2.JPG;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
Tourists and locals have likely walked or driven by the art gallery on Alberni Street spying colourful paintings, jewellery, pottery, cards and painted fabrics through the plate-glass windows. Many onlookers may not know the gallery is run quite differently from a typical one.
“We are run as a cooperative art gallery with about 25 members at the moment,” said Artique coordinator Janet Southcott. “We pay a monthly rent and each of us works one day a month, to run the gallery and sell each other’s work.”
She added that it makes members feel more responsible for the space, and if there is a decision to be made, they do it jointly. The gallery is accepting new members but they have to be juried-in by the other artists.
“We look for a certain quality of art to be a part of the gallery,” said Southcott. “The types of art we have right now are 2D, 3D art, lots of paintings, jewellery, scarves and art cards; we look for something different in people’s work, so we have variety.”
An artist and member since the art collective’s inception, Gwen Welp said the summer salon being planned for June 21 will have about seven or eight guest artists around the gallery.
“We have at least two salons a year with food and music, welcoming the public into the space,” she added.
Artist collective members will have their work on display along with guest artists, throughout the gallery.
“The evening is about getting together and meeting people,” said Southcott. “Sometimes artists are not sure if they are good enough or not sure about our collective, so it’s a good introduction.”
Artique has been around since 2000, but has moved around to different locations in the qathet region throughout the years.
Southcott has been a part of the gallery for about seven years and works in 2D, with oils and acrylics.
“When I joined I was informed that [Artique] is a place to display our art, and we don’t have to pay a commission, so if someone sells something the money goes to the artist,” explained Southcott.
Most galleries collect a commission from artists who display and sell art on their walls, and it is very competitive. At Artique, local working artisans collectively display work and run the gallery together, with no commission on sales.
Before Southcott, Welp was coordinator for many years, and works in 2D painting and digital art.
“The summer salon is for people to relax here, and not feel intimidated,” said Welp. “Sometimes people are afraid of art, so we want to open up so people can learn about us.
“There are so many creative people in Powell River.”
The Artique summer salon welcomes the public and the beginning of summer from 7 to 9 pm on Wednesday, June 21, at 6820 Alberni Street.
