In anticipation of the upcoming municipal elections, we asked the same two questions to each of the councilor and CRD candidates (the mayoral candidate responses are on another post). As a Society, the Station House Gallery is dedicated to preserving the Station House building and continuing to bring art to the community. It was on this very basis that the Society was formed. After careful consideration, we firmly believe that the best way to achieve both these aims – to preserve the building and maintain the art — is to relocate to a more central part of town. Not long ago, you joined us in these efforts. Now, it’s time to see where the candidates stand.
In anticipation of the upcoming municipal elections, we asked the same two questions to each of the mayoral candidates (councillor and CRD candidates responded here). As a Society, the Station House Gallery is dedicated to preserving the Station House building and continuing to bring art to the community. It was on this very basis that the Society was formed. After careful consideration, we firmly believe that the best way to achieve both these aims – to preserve the building and maintain the art — is to relocate to a more central part of town. Not long ago, you joined us in these efforts. Now, it’s time to see where the candidates stand.
The beginnings…
Back in the late 1970′s, the Station House was a boarded up, un-used building (except for the waiting room and small ticketmaster office) in a state of disrepair. A group of people who realized how imperative it was that one of the few historic buildings that Williams Lake had left be saved, formed the Station House Society. The Society was formally established in 1981, a lease was negotiated with BCR and the Society got to work fundraising and after much down and dirty labour, business donations, bake sales etc. the building was brought back to its former glory.
It was during this time that the idea/plan to use the building as our community’s Public Art Galery came into focus. More hard work and fundraising ensued to transform the interior to a working gallery and the name was then changed to the Station House Studio & Gallery Society.
In 1983, the Gallery had its first exhibition (Harvey Overton) and very shortly after that the Gallery Shop was opened to promote and sell local artist’s works.
For the next 20 years the Gallery and building was the thriving focal point of the Arts community and one of Williams Lake’s premier tourism sites.
In 2004, BCR discontinued its passenger service and no longer shared the mainenance costs of the building. The financial problems began.
In 2009, after 28 years of service to the community the Society, like most BC Arts and Culture organizations, lost its gaming funding which was 1/3 of our annual revenue.
That same year we were approched by the City with a question: What would the Society thiink about moving the building? After the initial shock, and MUCH discussion, the Society came to the conclusion that it was the best way to honour the history of the building. Saving the building is honouring it.
And although we have a very loyal and large (500) membership, we need more locals to realize what wonderful things we have to offer. We are largely invisible to many people – if we had a dollar for every ‘I just forget the Gallery is there’… They don’t see us down here.
We need walk in traffic.
The City applied for a Provincial grant which was turned down but this project is not dead. Other government funding is being applied for and we remain positive the move will happen.
After two years of asking questions of our members and the community we know that the consensus is that the Society that saved the building 30 years ago has the best understanding of the buildings stewardship needs.
The Station House Gallery is pleased to bring back our After School Art Classes!
Classes start next Tuesday, September 20th, and Wednesday, September 21st. Two classes per day – 2:30 to 3:30, and 3:30 to 4:30 with Instructor Rachel Walker. Classes will include the following: Exploration of Colour, Light and Shadow: how to “see” like an artist. Students will accomplish original paintings, work with watercolours, acrylics, charcoal and mixed media. Classes will also introduce students to the masters.
Call the Gallery for more info or to register: 250-392-6113
Station House Gallery is pleased to announce Big Lake artist Ed Deak is coming to the gallery to do sketch portraits! Ed specializes in children’s portraits. Sittings are just twenty minutes and the results….they’ll last a lifetime! What a wonderful gift for family members – or for yourself! Ed Deak will be at Station House Gallery Saturday, September 24th from noon to 4. The cost is simply a donation at a suggested donation of $25 to the gallery. For more information, contact the Gallery at 250-392-6113
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