Artisans’ Galleria Rises Like a Phoenix

(Steveston, BC Canada)

Trampled to the ground by government cuts to spending, too few tourists and an economy that kept consumers from spending, the Artisans’ Galleria in Steveston had made the difficult decision to close.

Many of it’s fixtures had been sold, the landlord had let them out of their remaining lease, they were selling off and packing up years of history with a sadness you could almost taste. Then it happened, a phone call “out of the blue,” someone wanted to help to save the Community Arts Council of Richmond (CACR) and the Artisans’ Galleria! Was it a prank call or real? No, it was real!

After reading two articles about the demise of the Galleria, and what it would mean to the residents of Richmond, a very savvy and concerned business woman took the issue to her bosses and in a show of support for the community and the arts, Gary and Terry McPhail, long time Richmond residents and business men, came forward to support the CACR in their efforts and work in supporting the arts and artists in Richmond.

It was, and continues to be unbelievable, that at the last moment of the Artisans’ Galleria life, help would arrive and the Artisans’ Galleria and CACR would be able to rise from the ashes of despair like a phoenix and again be able to continue their valuable work.

With the help from the McPhail’s, the Artisans Galleria will now re-locate to Garden City Road Shopping Center. There is much work to be done to get ready and little money to do it with, but trades people and members have been generous and with their help they should be ready to open their doors by mid November. Once again there will be a place for their artist members to show and sell their work as well as a venue for the CACR to hold is many different art exhibitions, free to the public, during the year.

Words cannot express the gratitude that the CACR feels towards the McPhails and others who have made this possible and now believe that hopes and dreams can come true, and not just in movies and books.