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
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Luxury cruise line selling world cruise suite for US$1.7 million
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
'Oppenheimer' finally premieres in Japan to mixed reactions and high emotions
'Oppenheimer' finally premiered Friday in the nation where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film. Japanese filmgoers' reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.