The Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery is on the move to a new location in historic downtown Cochrane and founder and Executive Director Lara Kruger couldn’t be more excited.
The collective, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping area artists get the valuable support so crucial to their growth and development, has been busy doing renovations at their new home right beside Found Books.
The new location at 208 First St. W is under renovation until Nov 23rd, when they will open to the public for Cochrane Light Up with refreshments and fun activities for all ages.
The old location was in the Safeway mall on First Street next to Smitty’s. The new location is in the space previously occupied by the Art Evolution Gallery.
The collective is focussed on creating a thriving, dynamic culture for local artists, offering space for them to showcase their work. They offer online shopping and can ship worldwide.
“We are looking to move to a better location just in terms of being central to the town. Obviously main street in historic downtown is the most desirable place to be, right in the core,” Kruger said.
“For arts and culture, you know being right in the heart of Cochrane is where we've always wanted to be. So it's a great opportunity to make this move.”
The Collective has ambitious goals.
“Our whole mandate really is to is to provide opportunities in the arts for the whole ecosystem, really, of the creative and the full spectrum, from emerging artists to professional artists, to opportunities for all ages,” Kruger said.
They also work closely with area Indigenous artists.
The Collective’s Mission Statement is: “The Collective is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for artists at all levels of their creative journey; encouraging community participation in arts through education and outreach; and, serving as a vital creative resource and hub for local visual arts.”
Their aim is “to engage more local and surrounding community members in the visual arts, to make visual arts accessible to all, to offer educational programs and activities which strengthen the community and, to elevate appreciation for the value that visual arts bring to the local economy and quality of life of our community.”
They also provide meeting space for events, workshops, and classes. Paintings, sculptures, glasswork, photography, and woodwork are just some of the mediums on display.
For more information on the collective go to route22gallery.com.
