Revelstoke’s once beloved Malones Confectionery location will soon be a hub of established and up-and-coming artists as The Local Art Co-op sets to open this shoulder season. With a core group of working members and a list of commission members already growing, The Local Art Co-op is aiming to be a place for beloved artists and newer artists hoping to establish themselves.
“We have some of these leaders making sure the rest of the community benefits from their success,” Michael Cronin, chair of The Local Art Co-op’s board explained when asked why the gallery is going the route of a co-op model. The mix of well known artists, including Hayley Stewart and Claudia Simon’s Turbo Bambi is intended to help draw attention to newer artists who will have a spot in the gallery.
“That’s the future of Revelstoke’s art scene, it’s probably part of the history of Revelstoke’s art scene – established artists making space for up and coming artists,” Cronin said.
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The Local Art Co-op is focused on creating more opportunities for artists to make a living from their craft. It’s what structured the decision to operate as a co-op, with members sharing ownership and profits being split. Working members will have their own designated spaces where they can curate pieces to showcase and sell. Commission artists will provide artwork to The Local Art Co-op and a curation panel will set up the pieces depending on submitted works.
“The commission program is a great growth program,” Cronin said, explaining that artists who haven’t had the chance to show work in public spaces or curate a show are welcome to connect with the co-op.
“If you’re not quite there yet, we’ll let you know what needs to be done so that you have enough pieces to show. We’d love for you to be part of the co-op today or even five years from now when you’re ready.”
While the co-op is still open to hearing from future members and commission artists, Cronin admitted they are close to current planned capacity. Still, the gallery space has room to grow, including for future events.
“We’re excited to invite the community in with really fun events and have a few of those through the shoulder season,” Cronin said. “An awesome thing about this town is how much enthusiasm there is for the arts and how much enthusiasm there is for a good time in town, whatever the venue might be.”
Cronin and members of the co-op also hope the gallery creates an accessible art option for members in town. Cronin sees the value in larger scale pieces and the price tag they carry. He also sees the importance in items like posters, stickers and magnets that give folks other options to show off pieces they love.
“We love that there’s multiple venues, and art should be portrayed in different ways. We have things that we want to support buyers of art and patrons of art through the different stages of their journey [with].”
Some passersby might have caught sight of the Wendy’s fast food restaurant logos in the window. Some still might know the small prank the pictures nod to, with other local businesses previously playing the bait and switch joke leading up to their opening. Cronin said he and the artists working on the spot are excited to reveal what will occupy the former home of a Revelstoke staple.
“We have a lot of respect for what it was,” Cronin said, noting that ideas are being considered how to best pay homage to the old Malones and the history of the space. Creating one more place for Revelstoke’s growing art community might also be a nod to the community hub Malones offered.
“There’s tons of room for art in town. As we continue to grow as a town, there will be more space for that,” Cronin said. “These artists are really trying to make space so that it’s a lot of winners in town and a lot of folks who get to benefit.”
Artists available at the Local Art Co-op opening day include Hayley Stewart, Marie Moose, Vanessa St-yves, Zuzana Riha, Jacqueline Palmer, Rod Aspelet, Big Eddy Glass’s Leah Allison, Tumbling Goat’s Marie-Ève St-Laurent, Matt Timmins, Birte Spreuer, Antonia Otoya, Lucie Šulová, Remi Goguen, Tyler Kathol, Susan Lind, Turbo Bambi’s Claudia Simon, David Walker, Sheramic’s Sherry Cheriton, Monashee Pottery’s Gabrielle, Over the Moon’s Layla, Maggie Lynch, Hygge Glass’s Ebony, Susie Kathol, Tyler Kathol, Sarah Hicks and Zoya Lynch.