The Route 22 Artist Collective has had their gallery doors open for almost two years says director Karen Chaisson, and much of that is thanks to support for their annual Love Your Gallery fundraiser.
"We still get people who are surprised that we're here and who are just elated when they come in," Chaisson said. "Part of this fundraiser is to bring awareness to the community about our presence."
The artist collective is a registered, volunteer-based non-profit that aims to elevate arts in the community and to connect the public to local visual artists and arts opportunities.
They have set a goal of $50,000 for the second annual Love Your Gallery fundraiser which runs until the end of February. Funds raised will ensure they are able to sustain current operations as well as continue to grow to meet the needs of the community.
"We're happy that we were able to survive COVID, and we are still here, but we have a steep learning curve ahead of us," Chaisson said. "We've been unable to access all the grants and things that are available to groups that have been in business longer than we have."
In addition to displaying and selling local artists work, the gallery offers arts programming and various classes in its maker space.
The provincial government's recent announcement of a phased approach to easing restrictions, Chaisson said, means they can now stretch their reach into the community a little further.
"We're excited to be able to expand on that because that's part of our mission and our mandate is to increase community awareness," she said. "We're also community-minded which means we'll be adding more classes to include everyone — kids and seniors."
The gallery has previously hosted painting, glass workshops and more, and hopes to introduce other mediums such as felting and photography.
On display in the gallery, viewers will see anything from stone sculptures, to pottery, to paintings and photographs.
The fundraiser will continue until the end of February with artist giveaways for patrons who enter their names into a free weekly draw, as well as a raffle for a 23-inch by 40-inch print by local photographer Wendi Forster drawn on March 31 and another raffle for a print of a painting by artist Ann McGillivray drawn on May 31.
Tickets to enter the raffles cost $10 each or three for $25 and can only be purchased at the Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery located at 312 5 Avenue West.
