Have you noticed the refreshed cultural vibe at the Hearth Gallery in the past year?
A mix and variety of art shows from the elementary school Primary Colours Art Show to the current Hidden Gems of the Rock fundraiser?
Did you notice the innovative and exciting gallery art shows this past summer featuring local artists such as Art by Di and Eleanor Rosenberg?
Have you had a chance to ‘bust-a-move’ on our patio deck, spinning to the DJ tunes by Jamie Woodall?
Or are you planning to find all the items on your holiday list at the upcoming December Art Market?
Well, hopefully you have! The Hearth team of staff and volunteers have been busy revisioning what we do, what we’d like to do and where we’d like to go at our gallery here in Snug Cove. Our main agenda remains supporting the arts on Bowen and creating a welcoming cultural hub for painters, writers, makers and performers to showcase their skills to our locals and visitors to the island.
Bringing life and vibrancy to the new Hearth Gallery space was the first priority for Jami Scheffer she arrived 20 months ago to become the executive director. “I wanted to build on all the hard work that came before me to create this welcoming and inclusive space for our island community,” she says. “And I feel that we are well on our way. The numbers of visitors to the gallery are up from following years, the artists who are hosted in the gallery and gift shop are seeing their art sell. We notice a variety of locals visiting the gallery while passing by or waiting for the bus and ferry or shopping for a greeting card, gift for a friend or that perfect piece of art. They love the opportunity to combine a trip to the library, the local café and the gallery for a literary, culinary and visual art experience.
“That’s what we are striving for — providing this creative space to bring arts to our community and our community to the arts.”
Following a very successful 2021 season, Scheffer says that “we have exciting and innovative things up our sleeves for 2022. This includes a new performing space outside the gallery and library to showcase live music, performances, storytellers, artist demonstrations, art workshops and more.”
The Hearth is also partnering with the library and Bowen Island Municipality’s recreation staff to bring a festival celebrating National Indigenous Day, Multicultural Day and Canada Day.
The gallery we will continue to bring a variety of art shows that feature our local artists, as well as themed shows that Scheffer says will “bend your minds to something unconventional, unusual and avant-garde. Art that celebrates a diverse community. Fresh art from fresh minds. Art created from trash collected from our waterways. Art made from glass, clay, wood and paper. Really, there will be something for everyone.”
Please visit our community gallery anytime you are coming through Snug Cove. We are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). To learn more about the exciting 2022 schedule of events happening here at the Hearth, plan on attending the upcoming annual general meeting on Wednesday, December 1. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
