The historic building that once served as 91原创 City鈥檚 post office has received a new, artistic tenant.
Gallery 204, the latest to join the City鈥檚 vibrant art community, has transformed the iconic brick Federal Building at the corner of 204 Street and Douglas Crescent into a hub for B.C. artists.
Located upstairs in a brightly lit loft, the walls of the 1,100 square foot gallery are decorated with the works of local artists Anita Klein, Bryan Coombes, Carmel Clare, Esther Sample, Graham McKenzie, Judy Vanderveen, Ken Nash, Lalita Hamill, Murray Phillips, Steve Madsen, Susan Galick, Suzanne Erickson, Terry Isaac, Tammie Hunter and Shelley Garries, the founder of the gallery.
鈥淚t makes me feel inspired everyday to paint,鈥� said Garries, who is also from 91原创.
鈥淚 feel lucky to follow my passions, but I had a lot of help and support to get here.鈥�
Since opening Gallery 204鈥檚 doors in September, Garries has been overwhelmed with its reception, by both the public and other artists.
鈥淲e had our grand opening on the fifth of November and it was packed 鈥� I couldn鈥檛 move,鈥� Garries recalled.
鈥淭he artists in here are amazing, they鈥檙e such great people. They鈥檙e very talented and they鈥檝e been very kind and generous.鈥�
Two of Garries鈥� biggest supporters are her father, who owns the Federal Building, and fellow 91原创 artist Murray Phillips.
鈥淲hen Murray heard I wanted to open a gallery, he sat down with me and then next thing I knew, he was introducing me to all of these artists, these wonderful artists, and here we are. It just started rolling,鈥� Garries explained.
"I had this space in mind already 鈥� this space had sat empty for a year already 鈥� so I said, 鈥業 think I鈥檓 going to jump on the space,鈥� and then I brought Murray here and he thought it was a perfect space for a gallery.鈥�
Across the hall from the main gallery room is a classroom where Garries plans to host artist workshops and children鈥檚 classes.
Evening drop-in sessions have already started, with Phillips as host.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough business,鈥� Garries admitted, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 really coming all together. It鈥檚 pretty exciting.鈥�
Tomorrow evening (Nov. 26) from 6 to 8 p.m., Garries will be holding her first fundraising reception titled, Christmas Mini鈥檚 鈥� A Small Works Exhibition.
The exhibit is featuring small paintings by the gallery鈥檚 artists for the Christmas season and proceeds from the event will benefit local food banks.
Garries will have a donation box set up, and those who bring a non-perishable food item will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the gallery.
There will also be an open house with the artists, wine tasting from Township 7 Winery and tasty hors d鈥檕euvres.
For those who can鈥檛 make it, the exhibit will continue to be displayed until Dec. 23.
For more on the gallery and the Christmas Mini鈥檚 show, visit .
Photos by Miranda Gathercole/91原创 Times
