Gallery Update - June 28, 2024

​Friday, June 28, 2024 was a milestone for ARIEL. We submitted a signed agreement to the Department of Recreation and Culture for the City of Elliot Lake. That agreement is two steps away from officially relaunching an art gallery in the City.

The next step is a review by the Standing Committee for Recreation and Culture. That is supposed to occur during the 4 pm meeting, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. The current agenda does not show that item. However, we anticipate that it will be on the agenda by the 3rd. Should the committee vote for acceptance of the agreement, then the final step will follow.

The final step is a vote of the full Council for the City of Elliot Lake. If all goes as we hope, that will occur before the end of July. We will post updates as we move through the steps. Thank you to all who have contributed since we first began this journey a year ago. Yes, you read that correctly. We have been working on this project for a year!

Once the agreement is signed by the City representatives - we are optimistic that will happen. Once the agreement is signed, then phase two of the gallery relaunch begins.

Our tasks are varied and numerous: 1) Call for artists to exhibit in the gallery; 2) Set up the hanging system for items that will be suspended, and a retail space with display cases for smaller items. Searching for funds to purchase appropriate track lighting will be a priority too. Multitasking is inevitable for so much needs to be done at the same time to ensure a fall opening for the gallery.

The gallery will be located at 14 Elizabeth Walk in downtown Elliot Lake. It will be housed in the Elliot Lake Arts and Heritage Centre, the new home of the Elliot Lake Arts Club and the Elliot Lake Model Railroad Club.

An essential element of the agreement is a promise to deliver, once a month, special events in the building in collaboration with the other tenants. We look forward to working together to add to the quality of life of the residents of Elliot Lake through Arts and Culture.

Once the gallery is officially operating, our retail space will also be a satellite location for tourism information and a downtown welcome centre for visitors. Our docents will be well informed and ready to answer questions and provide assistance.

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