Using empty store fronts for your art

Artists in the United Kingdom  are turning vacant storefronts into what are being called “pop-up galleries.” The name aptly describes art spaces that show up out of nowhere and then, just as suddenly, disappear after an exhibit closes or the store is rented out.


This is starting to happen in Canada as well. In most cases, the store owner is happy to provide you with an empty store front at no charge. He or she may want to take a commission or percentage if a painting sells, but not always. Quite often, it simply adds to the marketability of the property, so the owner is happy to "decorate" it at no cost. The rest of the downtown merchants are happy as well, as the temporary "art gallery" helps to a attract more visitors to the area.

You will have to provide your own easels or display rack. It also looks better if you hang some light colored drapes or even a plain colored sheet behind the art work, and to separate it from the empty store behind, which often is somewhat neglected and not very attractive.

Be prepared to move your stuff out at short notice should the landlord rent the space to someone else.


Finally, make sure that you provide contact information and prices on the artwork that are large enough to be easily visible to the window shopper, as they will generally not be able to go inside the store to get a closer look.

Quinn's Fine Art Gallery of Tweed

I went to the opening of Quinn's Fine Art Gallery of Tweed, a brand new gallery full of wonderful paintings.

The painting above is an example of great folk art painting by  Christine Genest. There was a combination of local artists, well known contemporary artists and even some older paintings by famous artists. For example, on the upper floor there is a Pissaro. It's for sale if you have $15,000 to spare.
The space is surprisingly large. The smaller frontage is deceptive. There are two floors, with the  historical paintings being on the upper floor. These include works by Doris McCarthy, Robert Chailloux and Douglas Pratt.

The building was originally a clothing store, owned by the Quinn family, and later became a gift shop.
It has been lovingly restored by the gallery owners, with much of the original woodwork and details kept intact.The staircase was particularly impressive.

Local artists who are exhibiting include Barbara Chappelle, who sold two of her paintings since the doors opened (just a couple of days), Donna Bonin with her bright and cheerful watercolours  and Ian Montgomery with his beautiful stained glass "windows" with figurative inserts.
On the ground floor were paintings by Mary Ann Ludlam, Eric McCully, Monika Seidenbusch and Margaretta Vanderpas.  Also photography by John Goldstein, Shayna Hartley and the gallery owner, Paul Dederer.