Additional space to expand visitor attraction and tourism potential in Southern Gulf Islands
COURTENAY, 8 August 2023 – The Yellowhouse Art Centre Society, on Galiano Island, is building a new workspace and studio in Sturdies Bay that is equipped with tools and materials to strengthen their programming and expand year-round use with investment support from Island Coastal Economic Trust’s Capital and Innovation Program.
The Yellowhouse Art Centre Society, founded in 2019, is the sole centre for the arts on the island. Their newly planned studio and workspace, the Makery, will provide a much-needed expansion to meet the growing demand and need for people of all ages and backgrounds to access their workshops, art classes, performances, exhibitions, and artist-in-residency program.
“We are most excited about the opportunities the addition will bring for artists to access the tools and space required to fulfill their creative dreams,” says Roksan Parfitt, Yellowhouse Art Centre Coordinator. “Not only will the Makery allow for new work, production and employment opportunities to arise, but it will also allow our existing multidisciplinary arts programming to thrive.”
The new space will consist of a 900 square foot accessible and multi-purpose workshop space equipped with tools and materials as well as a separate 250 square foot climate-controlled studio space for more refined work. The Makery will support a broad spectrum of art creation and sharing, and space and equipment will be available for all community members to produce work other than arts.
“Many artists, crafts people, and small business owners call Galiano Island home,” says Roksan. “Recently, especially after the pandemic, our island population increased by 200. The purpose built and centrally located Makery at the Yellowhouse Art Centre will allow access to a safe space, equipment and materials needed for multitude of creative processes for all. It will also increase the number of events we can host within a fiscal year.”
The workshop will be rented hourly or daily to interested people who may not necessarily have their set up for production but could use this space to create or produce their goods to sell them as a part of their businesses. The new space will also increase the year-round use of the Yellowhouse Art Centre venue as well as attendance to all events and enjoyed in all climates.
“This project reflects the growing need and demand for community-led initiatives dedicated to expanding our region’s vibrant and diverse arts and cultural sectors,” says Aaron Stone, Chair, Island Coastal Economic Trust. “We are proud to partner on this new space, which follows on the heels of previous artist studios and arts centres, such as the Ladysmith Artist Studio and Hornby Arts Centre, and helps showcase our coastal communities as creative, thriving and welcoming places to both live and visit.”
“I am thrilled that the Island-Coastal Economic Trust continues to support important community spaces for people to gather, create, express themselves, and celebrate innovation. Congratulations to the whole team at the Yellowhouse Art Centre Society for this exciting expansion.” said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “This investment in The Makery is yet another example of why the ICET is critically important for rural Vancouver Island and coastal communities.”
The Makery at Yellowhouse Art Centre on Galiano Island is supported through the Capital and Innovation Program. The Trust will contribute $50,000 to a total project budget of $408,000. The project is now underway.
###
About Island Coastal Economic Trust
Founded by the Province of British Columbia in 2006, the Island Coastal Economic Trust works to build a sustainable and resilient coastal economy in reciprocal relationships with First Nations, municipalities, and regional districts across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution. Serving over half a million residents, we partner with communities in the development and financing of their economic infrastructure and diversification efforts through our unique structure that is led by, and accountable to, communities.
Since our inception, Island Coastal Economic Trust has approved more than $59 million to economic development initiatives that have attracted over $323 million in new investment to our region. These investments have created over 2,910 permanent jobs, and countless positive impacts, across the coast.
Island Coastal Economic Trust acknowledges that we work for communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda’xw, Pəntl’áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
Media Contacts
Brodie Guy
CEO
Island Coastal Economic Trust
brodie@islandcoastaltrust.ca
250-871-7797
Roksan Parfitt
Manager and Coordinator
Yellowhouse Art Centre
info@yellowhouseartcentre.ca
778-918-9302
