Manitoba artist creates accessible free little art gallery in Brandon
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a Manitoba artist to create an accessible free little art gallery in Brandon to spread creativity and build a sense of community.
Artist Errin Witherspoon said she is pretty new to the art scene – she had just started selling her art last year when the pandemic hit.
"Because of COVID, I found it really difficult for me to connect with other artists in Brandon, there has just been no outlet for that and no way to do it," she said.
After seeing a similar idea in Seattle, she decided a free little art gallery would be a great fit for Brandon too.
"I thought this project – when I saw it might be a great way for me to connect with some other artists in the area, even online, so that I can start building some relationships and a sense of community there."
The art gallery, which is located at 1130 Braecrest Drive in Brandon, is similar to little community libraries – but instead of books, those passing by can help themselves to art.
The art gallery, which is located at 1130 Braecrest Drive in Brandon, is similar to little community libraries – but instead of books, those passing by can help themselves to art. (Source: Errin Witherspoon)(Source: Errin Witherspoon)
"People who pass by are free to have a look inside, and if there is a piece of art that's in there that they love – they can take it home, no questions asked," Witherspoon said. "Alternatively, if somebody is feeling creative and they would like to put some art in the gallery, they are free to do that as well."
After securing a permit with the city, Witherspoon said her husband built the gallery and she filled it with art.
The gallery opened at the beginning of April, and in the time since, Witherspoon said it has received a fantastic response from the community.
She said people are starting to leave their own pieces of art in the gallery, and are leaving chalk messages of support and encouragement on the sidewalk.
The gallery features a hand crank and solar light to make it more accessible.
The art gallery, which is located at 1130 Braecrest Drive in Brandon, features a hand crank and solar light to make it more accessible. (Source: Errin Witherspoon)(Source: Errin Witherspoon)
"If the gallery is too high and you are using a mobility device, for example, it can be lowered easily with the crank that’s on it so that everybody has access to it," Witherspoon said.
For those thinking about visiting the free little art gallery, Witherspoon has some advice.
"I would say don't hold back. I would say create whatever it is that your heart wants you to create. Try not to worry about what anybody is going to think about what you've created," she said, "And make sure it is 10 inches by 10 inches or smaller; otherwise, it won't fit in the gallery."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.