A sharp drop in traffic has convinced the owners to close a Downtown Red Deer gallery devoted to showcasing local work.
Artists Jeri Lyn Ing and Erika Schulz announced on Thursday that they will maintain their studio space on Alexander Way, but that Gallery IS will close on Dec. 24.
Gallery IS has held more than 60 shows since opening six years ago and has been an active part of First Fridays, a collaboration in which all local galleries put on a special show during the first Friday of each month.
Although the gallery had been very popular for most of its six years, business has slowed to a trickle in the last year and a half, a development that Ing was at a loss to explain.
“It’s very underattended. It seems that the support we used to have is not there anymore,” she said.
“With nobody even coming to even see the work, it’s very disheartening.”
Certainly, downtown businesses have suffered somewhat during recent construction projects, including work on the streets and sidewalks, she said.
However, the once popular gallery seems to have completely dropped off people’s radars with no sign of a rebound, while other galleries have closed as well, she said.
“Whether that’s due to the construction or the revitalization efforts, I don’t know.”
Al Gamble, chairman of the Downtown Business Association, said he has heard that some businesses are leaving the downtown, but feels that, overall, it’s on the verge of exciting times with other businesses coming in, including one business that is moving downtown from Southpointe Common.
Construction of Executive Place, opening of the Donald School of Business and redevelopment of the Rancher’s Valley Hotel to low-cost housing units are all attracting more people into the city centre while upgrades on streets and sidewalks have made the area more comfortable for people, said Gamble.
Local visual artist Paul Boultbee said the closure of Gallery IS will leave a significant hole in Red Deer’s art community. While the Harris-Warke Gallery offers exhibits of local work, Ing and Schulz’s Gallery was the only commercial facility focused on locally produced artist. Not only could people shop there for local, Gallery IS also provided employment for local artists, said Boultbee.
Right now, for example, Harris-Warke is exhibiting one piece, an installation, and it’s not for sale, he said.
Ing said she and Schulz could reconsider their decision to close if they see a change in trends.
bkossowan@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate