After whatB次元官网网址檚 being enthusiastically framed as a successful year, members of the Sooke Arts Council are painting a picture of even better days ahead in 2022, with a little help from the community.

The gallery operated by the Sooke Arts Council sold more than $16,000 worth of work by local artisans last year, including paintings, fabric art, carvings and other items that display the flair of SookeB次元官网网址檚 arts community, noted Linda Slater, a long-time board director and past president.

B次元官网网址淚 think that speaks to the fact the gallery has made a significant difference for artists and the community,B次元官网网址� Slater said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e seeing more people come in here all the time. We need more volunteers and more artists to display their work because thereB次元官网网址檚 definitely a demand for it.B次元官网网址�

While the lease is secured at the current location at 6596 Sooke Rd. for another year, the council is already looking ahead to finding another location.

B次元官网网址淲e would like to partner with another organization in their existing location to share space,B次元官网网址� Slater said. B次元官网网址淚 think that would be a win-win for both parties and the community as well.B次元官网网址�

Another sign of the councilB次元官网网址檚 growing profile is that the art classes launched last year for a nominal fee sold out before COVID put the brakes on them, Slater said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a real desire for that in the community, and thatB次元官网网址檚 something we hope to get back to when restrictions are eased.B次元官网网址�

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B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e also trying to set up an art lending library,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淲e have lots of books on crocheting, knitting and painting that people have donated that we want to make available for our members to borrow.B次元官网网址�

Memberships cost $20 a year and provide an important source of income for the operating costs and gallery expenses, and you donB次元官网网址檛 have to be an artist to join.

Slater also encourages people to sign up for the newsletters, which include information on upcoming shows.

The gallery is volunteer-driven, so thereB次元官网网址檚 always a need for more helping hands.

B次元官网网址淚t can be as little as one day a week and itB次元官网网址檚 a good way to meet new people and have a great time,B次元官网网址� Slater said.

The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed for the holidays, but will kick off 2022 with a new show on Jan. 12.

For more information on volunteering, upcoming shows or to sign up for the newsletter or a membership visit .

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