Amongst the shadows of childrenB次元官网网址檚 laughter and concentrated silent reading, Linda Simrose has created a gathering place for artists in the former Metchosin elementary library, invoking a sense of inspiration and collaboration for all who go there.

B次元官网网址淚 had a studio at the Coast Collective, but I outgrew it,B次元官网网址� Simrose says. B次元官网网址淚t was just too small and so I wandered into here. I was just looking for a studio.B次元官网网址�

GLOW Art Studio and Gallery, large and brightly lit by previous tenant, the Metchosin Art Gallery, was more than Simrose needed for a solitary workspace. She soon had the idea to bring in other artists and make a place where creative individuals could interact. She designated Sundays as the B次元官网网址榮ocialB次元官网网址� day.

B次元官网网址淎s an artist, you often spend so much of your time alone,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e invited all my other artist friends and weB次元官网网址檝e really mixed it up. We just love it, because thatB次元官网网址檚 really the only time we get to be around other artists.B次元官网网址�

The gallery has something new around each corner, behind each wall. Oil paintings of orchids, watercolour scenes from local waterways and more unusual mediums as well. A glass-and-resin birdbath fused to a roughened stone graces the window display, one of SimroseB次元官网网址檚 latest pieces. Mosaic tiles beautify small rocks, glass jewelry hangs from ancient wooden stands, iron and stainless steel chickens strut across the walls with their fork-feet.

B次元官网网址淟indaB次元官网网址檚 definitely the driving force here,B次元官网网址� says Catherine Lang, an author and regular attendee of the Sunday gatherings. B次元官网网址淎ll of the creative energy and the artists who come here and bounce their ideas off each other B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 very inspiring and fun.B次元官网网址�

Being able to foster a supportive community has been incredibly rewarding for Simrose.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to me. IB次元官网网址檝e been an artist my whole life, and when youB次元官网网址檙e trying to do everything on your own, learning everything on your own B次元官网网址� it would have been easier if IB次元官网网址檇 had artist friends.B次元官网网址�

The success of the gallery and the community that has sprung up within it is partly due to the history of the building itself, says Simrose, who opened the gallery on May 1.

B次元官网网址淵ou can smell how old it is,B次元官网网址� she says, laughing. B次元官网网址淓very morning that I walk in, you can tell itB次元官网网址檚 a very old building. It just has a feeling to it, an energy to it. ItB次元官网网址檚 charming in its old kind of way.B次元官网网址�

The retired graphic artist is thrilled to be able to B次元官网网址減layB次元官网网址� in the space. B次元官网网址淓very morning I jump out of bed, excited to get here. It just feels right.B次元官网网址�

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acowan@goldstreamgazette.com