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.

Belleville Art Association Studio and Gallery

Don't forget to check out the cozy and Christmassy Belleville Art Association Gallery at 392 Front Street, Belleville for last minute Christmas gifts. Warm up at the fireplace! Last shopping day before Christmas is Tuesday, 23rd December, 11 am to 5 pm.

We have hand made gifts done by local artists from $5 or less, including hand decorated and signed glass Xmas tree balls, angels, stained glass and original miniature paintings from $10 to $25.

Waterfront gallery and gifts

Today I attended the Grand Opening of Belleville's new Waterfront Gallery and Unique gifts on the beutiful Bay of Quinte in the Belle Harbour complex and Marina 25 Dundas Street W. Belleville. It was a wine and cheese reception with MPP Leona Dumbrowsky making a speech and cutting the red ribbon. (Sorry, no photo).

There were lots of people and the crowd was enthusiastic. Of course, I will modestly say that I have four of my hand felted fibre art pieces in the gallery.

The main attraction was Iragi born internatinal artist Ishrak Sahar. She has some work in the Canadina Museum of Civilization. Acrylic abstracts and semi-abstract watercolours.Also on display were "creatures' made from car parts "Alien versus Predator". These "sculputre" are about six feet high

Stockdale Mill

I met one of the owners of the newly renovated Stockdale Mill, near Trenton and Frankford, Ontario, at an opening of a Quinte Arts Council Show. She invited me to bring some of my paintings for her to see with a view to putting them in her new art gallery and restaurant. So I took a few along yesterday and she agreed to take them on a commission basis, along with some cards.

I noticed that Peggy Holcroft also has some paintings on the wall there, including one of the old Mill. Apparently, old mill paintings are popular in this part of the world, which explains why I managed to sell one of Chisholm's Mill recently.

Anyway, check out the Stockdale Mill in a couple of weeks when it officially opens to the public. There will be a restaurant as well. The scenery is great for artists to paint, and the owner, Janet will be giving Yoga lessons and perhaps there will be art lessons as well.