Combining the artistic with the practical and the whimsical with the functional, local condo-townhouse complex The Artisan has made efforts to ensure the entire community can benefit from its creation.
The complex, which will have 57 condos and eight town homes, will dedicate 80 linear feet of its main floor to an art gallery space for talent from the area and abroad to display their work. The gallery space was a municipal amenity contribution requirement that resulted in a three-way partnership between the District of Squamish, 樱桃视频Arts Council and Talisman Homes.
"We're very excited," said Talisman Homes president, Ross Clouston. "It's the win-win solution that we're all looking for. It really says who we are - an upscale property that values the arts. I'm thrilled that in this case we can be such a visible part of the arts community. "It actually defines our building."
The complex located at 1336 Main St. is currently under construction, but the SAC has already installed a demonstration display at the Artisan building presentation centre on 2nd Avenue.
"This was a bold and progressive move," said SAC director Krisztina Egyed.
"The District of 樱桃视频received major applause for requiring the developer to provide this fabulous gallery. It's a public amenity and it sets another benchmark for development in Squamish, and it certainly supports the arts, which benefits everyone, not just the artists."
In terms of the local arts community, The Artisan couldn't have come at a better time. Artistic openings are at a premium with Northern Lights Gallery on Cleveland Avenue closing due to gallery owner Connie Spiers' decision to sell the building and forgo a long-term lease for personal reasons.
An ever-expanding roster of talent and the loss of space have made display areas very valuable, Egyed said.
"It was very sad news that the Northern Lights Gallery is closing; it was the only big gallery downtown," she said. "We have such a strong artistic community that even what we have now is not enough. The Artisan will help pull up the slack."
SAC will manage The Artisan gallery, which will provide storefront viewing for a rotating display from local artists.
The SAC is also working with the district to develop and implement a public art policy and has participated in a number of artistic initiatives including the latest street banner competition, a $60,000 public art project within the landscape of Solterra Development Corps new Rockcliff building, and a public art project for the Norm Rahkra Mountaineer Building.
Visit www.squamishartscouncil.org more info.
