With gallery space at a premium these days, the problem is about to be solved in Metchosin.

The doors to a new permanent art gallery in the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre on Happy Valley Road will soon be swung open to artists and those willing to explore their creative side.

Though still without a name and an official launch date, the gallery will move forward now that $15,000 in funding from the Ministry of Education has been secured.

Still, only half of what was hoped for was awarded, and organizers B次元官网网址� including the District of Metchosin, the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre and Sooke School District B次元官网网址� now have to rethink their design of the space before renovations begin. Metchosin was a co-applicant on the funding application along with Sooke School District 62.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l have to decide just how far we can go,B次元官网网址� said Metchosin Coun. Jo Mitchell, who serves as council liaison with the arts centre.

The gallery, which Mitchell says will be opened as soon as possible, will provide much-needed space where artists can hold shows, concerts and demonstrations, as well as offer classes for adults and children.

B次元官网网址淕allery space is at a premium now in the entire southern Island,B次元官网网址� Mitchell said, especially with closures of galleries in Victoria. B次元官网网址淭his is a big plus for Metchosin.B次元官网网址�

Stakeholders plan to meet in early February to map out their vision of the space.

The112 square metre room once served as a temporary school library for Happy Valley elementary students who lost their school to fire in 2004. Since then the room has been used now and then by artists, and by Elections Canada, which only recently agreed to relocate elsewhere.

Renovation work done by school district staff will likely include new lighting, flooring, a fresh coat of paint, a new exterior door and free-standing walls for art displays, said SD 62 superintendent Jim Cambridge.

The 60 to 90 high school students in the adjoining Metchosin Technical Centre could also utilize the gallery space, and potentially benefit from arts classes.

B次元官网网址淭hat would be a by-product once it gets going,B次元官网网址� Cambridge noted. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檒l have an opportunity to bring in the kids. ItB次元官网网址檚 a matter of just bringing the kids down the hall.B次元官网网址�

The project serves as a vital partnership between the school district, its schools and the community.

B次元官网网址淭his is one way to bring the community into our schools,B次元官网网址� Cambridge said. B次元官网网址淏y sharing our schools, weB次元官网网址檙e sharing the operating costs of the buildings.B次元官网网址�