Arts Carleton Place finds its home: A new hub for creativity
The Bennett Street Industrial Park in Carleton Place is now home to a flourishing arts community.
This past July, Arts Carleton Place unveiled its new space, known as the Arts Hub, a spacious and well-lit gallery that showcases a diverse range of works by local artists. Just minutes from downtown Carleton Place and conveniently located near Highway 7, this new cultural space is now open to the public.
Suzanne Deschènes, president of Arts Carleton Place, describes the gallery as a hidden gem in the community. Founded in 2005, Arts Carleton Place has never had a dedicated home until now.
“This space was serendipitous,” Deschènes shared, her eyes lighting up as she surveyed the gallery. The idea for a “clubhouse” emerged during the collective’s annual general meeting in April, as members brainstormed ways to invest a financial surplus. The concept of a shared space where artists could gather, exhibit their work, and host creative events quickly gained traction. By May, a lease was signed, and by July, artists began moving into their new home at 50 Bennett Street, Unit 1, in Carleton Place.
Arts Carleton Place operates as a co-operative, run by artists for artists. As Deschènes guided a Lanarkist reporter through the gallery, she explained, “We pride ourselves on being inclusive, so the art displayed here is always an eclectic mix.” The collective welcomes any local artist to join for a modest annual fee of $25, with minimal requirements beyond a passion for the arts.
The new space allows up to 45 local artists to display their work for periods of six to eight weeks. All displayed pieces are available for purchase and include a variety of media, such as paintings, photography, stained glass, woodworking, jewellry, pottery, greeting cards and more. Prices, set by the artists themselves, are reasonable. “They’re not much more than buying art at Walmart or IKEA,” Deschènes notes. “But each piece is unique, handmade, and supports a local artist.”
To celebrate this exciting milestone, the public is warmly invited to attend the Grand Opening of the Arts Hub on September 12th from 5-8 p.m. Visitors can explore the gallery, meet the artists, and enjoy an evening filled with creativity and community spirit.
The current exhibition, “Sizzling Hot,” will run until the end of September, after which a new collection of artwork will be showcased. On November 16th, Arts Carleton Place will also host its Itty Bitty Art Show at the Carleton Place Arena. While some pieces will be available for purchase at the show, the gallery will remain open for those who wish to browse the full collection.
For more information about supporting Arts Carleton Place or joining the collective, visit their website at artscarletonplace.com.