“This has been a long time coming,” says Veronica Forcier.
The Parkside Art Gallery shop manager is talking about new renovations there. The main showroom, shop and side galleries have all been painted, new slat board has been put up and mirrors blocking large windows were taken down in the gallery.
About half a dozen Parkside board members and volunteers started the renovations upstairs at 401 Cedar Ave. in 100 Mile House on Jan. 14.
“It’s a big job. I was amazed at how much they got done.”
Along with the fresh look, new gallery director Tom Godin says they have some fresh ideas this year.
Having been closed since Dec. 24, the group running Parkside is planning a February grand opening, which was discussed at a general meeting on Jan. 21.
Godin says the Parkside board will be supplying themes for artists to paint to this year.
The themes include Cariboo water, ancestors, painting a poem and galloping through the Cariboo.
“We’re trying to get back to working with the artists, trying to be more spontaneous. Maybe we’ll have more displays that don’t all come down at once.
“It’s kind of been like – bring a show in, take a show out. And it’s all empty. We’re trying to keep it a little more organic.”
108 Mile Ranch artist Michelle Brown is slated to have a show starting in February that runs into March.
In March or April, Godin says the plan is to mount a show that combines two artistic mediums – painting and photography.
Forcier says it’s important for Parkside to keep evolving and try new things.
“With Tom as gallery director, the main gallery space is going to be a shared shop gallery,” she explains. “It’s not just going to be a featured artist.
“A lot of local artists don’t have a large enough body of work to fill the stairwell and that room. If they can have a smaller show, then one of the side galleries can be either a theme, or two little shows at once.
“You just have to keep evolving in that regard.”
Parkside Art Gallery is known for displaying a variety of artwork – not only by painters, but spinners, weavers, sculptors, photographers, glass artists and wood carvers to name a few more.
“There are a lot of creative people (in the South Cariboo),” Forcier says.
“I’m excited for the changes and to keep moving forward. We’ve been here 14 years already. It’s pretty amazing.”
She invites area residents to visit and says the group is always looking for new members.
The plan is to have more events in the future to connect with the community, she adds.
“Welcome to Parkside – have a look around.”
