After almost 12 years of providing the public with quality local art and fine craft, Art on Main, Downtown Artist’s Collective will be closing permanently on December 30.
"This has been a very difficult decision for our members but in the current economic climate our not-for profit store and gallery is no longer viable," said Pat Stamp by email.
Stamp is a founding member of Art on Main, The Country Roads Studio Tour and The North Bay Art and Craft Cooperative.
Art on Main has been in operation since 2005 and is run and organized by the members.
The AOM Gallery was established in 2009, and is located within the store. It provides a venue for emerging and established artists to exhibit their work, and to network with other artists.
The gallery features monthly exhibitions, and hosts regular events.
The idea for a not-for-profit artist’s incubator came from the office of Economic Development at City Hall, The Downtown Improvement Area, and NECO.
"We are grateful for the combined vision of Karen Jones, Tiiu Vale, Catherine Mayne and the owner of our original location, Molly Reeder," said Stamp.
"We are also grateful for the assistance of The Ontario Trillium Foundation, NECO, The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and FedNor. Through their assistance we were able to mentor dozens of artists of all ages. With intern grants from the Heritage Fund we were able to launch the careers of seven outstanding young people. In addition to providing a place for our members to display and sell their work, we provided exhibition space for many individual artists and groups.
"We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the exceptional relationships we have had with our landlord for the past seven years, Daphne Mayne, Chris Mayne and the staff of Mayne Travel, Katie Bevan of THE FARM, Michelle Trudeau of The Frame Maker, Pat Diegel of Antiques at Deegan’s, The Downtown Gallery Hop members and CBACH, (now Creative Industries.)
"Over the years we have received generous support from our customers. They bought our work, brought their friends and families to our events and were effusive in their praise. Hollywood loves downtown North Bay. We have been the location for three made for TV movies and our work has been chosen by designers and set decorators. Sadly, even with all this support it wasn’t enough to keep us going," concluded Stamp.
"We urge the people of our community; City Council, individuals, companies and organizations to support local arts and culture and our unique downtown businesses."
