A new collaborative art gallery will be opening up in North Bay next month in the old Legit Trix building.
It's called Gateway to the Arts and will be located on Main Street in North Bay.
"It is a cooperative environment, all of us got together and we realized there really was no place to showcase gallery-style quality artwork in the north," said Karrie Emms, one of the founders and owner of Agape Designs.
Emms along with local artists Shanan King, Anne Brule and Sudbury photographer Dani Lynn Redgrift-Berthelot are behind the unique downtown initiative.
Emms says the group recognized an existing need for artists in the North which was an affordable common space where artists could come together in order to create amazing art, learn from each other, provide mentorship while offering artists and the public learning opportunities and outreach activities which allows them to share their common love of all things creative.
"Gateway to The Arts will be an inclusive and safe and affordable space for all artists and members as well as the public at large," she said.
Gateway to The Arts seeks to service a diverse selection of artists all based in Northern Ontario with both physical bricks and mortar location in North Bay as well as an online presence to supersede the geographical location and make their creations accessible around the globe.
Emms says the co-op will market itself to many unconventional customer and revenue streams to maximize exposure including but not limited to an online directory of artists and facilitators and marketing to the film and realty industry.
"The co-op will strive to offer affordable studio space to artists and a retail environment for patrons with workshops, guest artists and opportunities for growth and mentorship," added Emms.
"The co-op will strive to be an all-inclusive environment and will offer youth and at-risk memberships where these members will be fully immersed and given the same opportunities as any other member. They will assist with the running of the co-op and will learn art skills from other members as well as business management skills. We seek to give artists in the north a voice and a platform from which to share their unique skills and talents."
Emms says a grand opening will likely take place in mid to late November.
