Endako artist Clare Singleton recently pitched the idea of establishing an art gallery in 亚洲天堂 Lake to village council.

The proposed gallery, which would be run by a curator, would display the work of local artists.

鈥淚t would allow for education and a sense of morality, and an increase in professionals in the field of art,鈥� she explained. 鈥淎lso, it can bring the First Nations鈥� art community into the mix.鈥�

Singleton, who holds a bachelor of fine arts degree, has travelled from coast to coast over the last 30 years documenting life in small towns. She said that what鈥檚 missing along the Hwy. 16 corridor is a 鈥減rofessional arts approach.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 hundreds of volunteers, hard-working people, we know lots of them in our region; but what happens when all we offer is volunteers, that鈥檚 what we get; you don鈥檛 get professionalism,鈥� said Singleton.

鈥淎 public gallery is a professional environment that is curated,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity that brings artists to step higher, it takes them out of the mundane into the professional. It brings an edge to the artists鈥� existence, and it鈥檚 the society鈥檚 recognition that artists are not just here to volunteer and donate.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 a tendency of people to ask, 鈥榃hat do you really do?鈥� And I鈥檓 an artist, I was born an artist; and our country still needs artists,鈥� she added.

Her presentation was well received by mayor and council, with two councillors saying that her passion and enthusiasm were 鈥渋nfectious.鈥�

鈥淎s a photographer, I feel that that would be a tremendous addition [to 亚洲天堂 Lake], and I think that as we move toward transitioning the economy, arts can be a significant contributor, so I would like to have more discussions with you about this,鈥� said councillor Michael Riis-Christianson.

He added that this type of excitement is exactly what a new committee responsible for diversifying the local economy will need.

亚洲天堂 Lake Mayor Chris Beach said the Lakes District has a vibrant arts community that needs to be promoted 鈥渢o a much greater extent.鈥�

Singleton said the proposed gallery would be different from the Lakes Artisan Centre and Process 4 circle arts Gallery since it would not have the profit component.

鈥淧ublic galleries focus on art exhibits and education,鈥� she explained.

Process 4 circle arts Gallery is currently searching for a new location since its current building is changing ownership. The business will close its doors at its current location at the end of the month.

亚洲天堂 Lake also has an initiative called 鈥楢rt around town,鈥� in which the work of local artists is displayed in local businesses. Although this initiative has significantly downsized over the years, local residents can still see items displayed in some locations such as the 亚洲天堂 Lake Public Library and the Lakeview Mall.

In addition, an art exhibition called 鈥楳y Canada,鈥� which showcased the work of local artists, was held in the Heritage Room in July and August as part of Canada鈥檚 150th birthday.