Enderby has always had an artistic air about it.
Perhaps it’s due to the colourful medieval-like banners that hover above the businesses along Cliff Avenue, or the murals around town that depict the city’s just as colourful heritage and landscape.
Most likely it is because of the number of artists who choose to live in the city overlooked by immense cliffs and with the Shuswap River that meanders through town and the surrounding area.
Boasting its own accredited arts council, Enderby’s thriving arts and culture scene is about to be housed in its first cooperative, not-for-profit art gallery.
The official opening of Enderby’s Courtyard Gallery takes place on Thursday, April 25 and coincides with Arts and Culture Week in B.C.
Artists, supporters and VIPs are expected to be out in droves in what has taken months of planning.
What started as an idea has blossomed over the past eight months into an actual space for artists to share their wealth of talents, said Tatianna O’Donnell, gallery chairperson.
“The Enderby and District Arts Council had a meeting last August where they called out to artists to get together with the idea to start a cooperative art gallery,” said O’Donnell, adding there were 13 artists, including herself, who signed up as the initial core group.
That group has now grown to approximately 25 artists.
“There are very talented people working away in their studios here. It’s a solitary occupation. This has been a way of getting everyone together,” said O’Donnell.
With the artists in place, and planning underway, the next major step, to find a location, has been another fait accompli.
“We looked around at a variety of places around Enderby and found one on Belvedere Street next to the Enderby Legion. It’s right downtown and walking distance to the market. We also have an outdoor courtyard (hence the gallery’s name), which we plan to make artistic and creative,” said O’Donnell.
Inside, the gallery features a wide variety of art —paintings, fibre art, sculpture, stained glass, woodwork, and more— available for purchase in varying prices.
“We will have varying types of exhibitions, with different themes. All of this is part of the journey of what we need to learn and do. You never know where it is going to go,” said O’Donnell.
As a non-profit organization, the gallery also plans to give back to the community through community exhibitions and events.
“We have received a huge amount of support. There has been a lot of donations from local businesses and items to start up the gallery, and a significant donation from the Enderby arts council,” said O’Donnell. “I’m hoping it will be a little gem in Enderby. We hope to become a destination, not only for the residents of Enderby, but for the tourists.”
Besides the grand opening, the gallery is hosting the first of many events with an acrylic painting workshop April 27. Also part of B.C. Arts and Culture Week activities, it will be led by O’Donnell, a professional artist with many years of experience in both teaching painting and organizing exhibitions. Those interested can register by calling 250-832-8898.
Thursday’s gala opening of the Courtyard Gallery takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. A local Enderby VIP will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 7 p.m.
“We are expecting a lot of people. We will also have live music and refreshments,” said O’Donnell.
For more information, visit www.courtyardgallery.ca.
