Dozens of artists with lofts and studios in Winnipeg’s Exchange District have been tossed out on the street because the city says the 107-year-old building they work in is not safe.

Gibril Bangura, a painter who arrived in Winnipeg as a refugee from Sierra Leone a few months ago, rented space in the Ross Avenue building and says he enjoyed it because of the proximity to so many other artists.

"Advising each other, empowering one another,” said Bangura. “The moral support is so important for artists to be together, share their frustration, their joy, their happiness. Everything together."

Unfortunately for Bangura and about 60 other artists who used the building, City of Winnipeg inspectors visited on Friday.

"We were actually doing an interview for a documentary,” said Sam Karney, a filmmaker. “We got a tap on the door from the fire inspector - he needed to inspect the room that we were doing the interview in."

City staff removed hydro meters and cut power to the building on Monday, telling tenants – some of whom live in their studios – they had 24 hours to vacate the premises.

People are allowed in the building only for the purposes of moving out, something the city says must be done by Aug. 28.

But tenants say with the power cut, the elevator does not work and it will be impossible for them to move large items like furniture, easels and drafting tables.

The city says it deemed the building unsafe because many mechanical and electrical changes have been made over the years without appropriate permits.

Fewer than 10 people actually live in the building, with the rest only using it professionally, but the city says it was never approved as a residence.

An organization called Frames Arts Warehouse leases the building and rents space to the artists.

Manager Ali Tataryn says Winnipeg needs artist space like the building provided and would like to see a compromise.

"Let's get real about how we can make these changes and actually support the good things that are happening here,” said Tataryn.

Meanwhile, while packing up his supplies, Bangura wondered where he will paint now.

"I'm trying to expand this business because this is what I've been doing for the past 27 years of my life,” said Bangura. “I haven't done anything except painting and selling paintings."

Tataryn says Frames Arts Warehouse hopes to bring the first two floors into compliance within six months so some artists can begin moving back in.