Its neighbours are auto repair shops and appliance outlets in what can be called the outer orbit of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 downtown core. An art gallery in the 2500-block of Douglas St. looks distinctly out of place.

But within its whitewashed walls decorated with neatly hung paintings, the Fifty Fifty Arts Collective has established itself as the centre for art in Greater Victoria that is distinctly outside of the mainstream.

B次元官网网址淎t night the space does seem quiet, but there is a lot of activity happening here,B次元官网网址� says Renee Crawford, one of the four board members of Fifty Fifty Arts Collective who also works for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. B次元官网网址淭his space is an arts hub.B次元官网网址�

The collective is celebrating its 10th anniversary today (Jan. 11) with an exhibition from 15 local artists. Over the past decade, the gallery has hosted some 300 emerging artists and 500 musicians in what has become an institution in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 arts scene.

B次元官网网址淥ur role in the community is to give emerging and experimental arts space and support and experience,B次元官网网址� Crawford says. B次元官网网址淭hose artists on the edge of mainstream or who are totally underground have a space to showcase their work.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淣ew artists in town can have a hard time breaking into the scene. We can let them give a show,B次元官网网址� adds Jzero Schuurman, a board member of the collective.

B次元官网网址淲e want to show Victoria is more than Emily Carr,B次元官网网址� he continued, although noting heB次元官网网址檚 not opposed to the works of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 arguably most famous painter.

The collective has seen many members come and go, but key to its survival has been a steady stream of volunteers dedicated to fostering an arts space. It also helps the rent is reasonable at their Douglas Street space.

When Schuurman joined a few years ago, the gallery was open one day a week B次元官网网址� now itB次元官网网址檚 seven, all staffed by volunteers. B次元官网网址淭his is a major part of our lives. We wouldnB次元官网网址檛 do it if we didnB次元官网网址檛 love it,B次元官网网址� he said.

The gallery has allowed emerging artists to learn lessons not necessarily illuminated in art school. At Fifty Fifty, artists must assemble and promote their own exhibits.

B次元官网网址淭his is a very DIY space. The artists have to curate their own shows. They get a key (to the building) and they set it up. It gives artists a dry run on how to put together their own exhibition,B次元官网网址� Crawford says. B次元官网网址淎rt schools donB次元官网网址檛 teach how to curate shows or how to get exhibits or create a portfolio. Being involved in an artist-run centre, in a short time you learn how the profession works.B次元官网网址�

Fifty Fifty launched in 2003 in a retail space on Craigflower Road, and moved to Douglas Street a few years later. Allan Kollins, one of the founding members who sat on the board until 2009, said in 2003, the stars aligned. The idealism of a group of young artists to create a collective art gallery became reality, due to an affordable retail space.

He said the name B次元官网网址淔ifty FiftyB次元官网网址� was drawn from a hat.

B次元官网网址淚 think the person who submitted that name wanted more of the money to go to the artist. They didnB次元官网网址檛 want (the gallery) to be commercial,B次元官网网址� Kollins said in an interview from Vancouver. B次元官网网址淲e wanted art that was conceptual, more experimental, not pretty pictures on the wall.B次元官网网址�

Kollins said in the early days, the Douglas Street space had its struggles with the City of Victoria. A few times, evening music shows would attract dozens of people, along with police and bylaw officers. At the same time, Fifty Fifty also received project grants from the cityB次元官网网址檚 arts board.

B次元官网网址淚t was different bureaucracies. The arts and culture grants board supported us. The bylaw officer wasnB次元官网网址檛 as friendly,B次元官网网址� Kollins said.

Fifty Fifty now primarily fundraises through hosting music shows at venues around the city. Where other artist-run spaces have come and gone over the years, Fifty Fifty is looking to expand.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 survived in part because of a burgeoning arts community in Victoria. Certain individuals and the community helped keep it alive,B次元官网网址� Kollins says. B次元官网网址淭he collective has seen dire times. But weB次元官网网址檝e also seen commitment from the community from fundraising and support.B次元官网网址�

The Fifty Fifty 10 year celebration is  Friday, Jan. 11, from 7 to 10 p.m. 2516 Douglas St. and is free. See thefiftyfifty.net.