Portside Gallery will kick off the summer with a celebratory anniversary exhibition, 20 Years in Retrospect. “We each view that thought of the retrospective and how to deal with it a little differently,” says gallery partner Diane Dobson. It’s sure to make for an interesting June show and opening. Three of the Portside Gallery’s founders – Diane, Betty Burrell and Jean Johnson are still with the gallery. Recently, they chatted with us about the history of this long-standing Port Stanley art destination and their experiences over the years. |
Diane and Flossie Trimble went looking, back in 1996, for a place where they could show their work more frequently than just at a few yearly shows. Port Stanley had a reputation as a bit of an artist community, and also had shops, restaurants, inns and seasonal tourists – it seemed a perfect fit. A co-operative effort would be easier to manage than would a single artist studio. They were excited to find a location on the second floor of a heritage building (now the Telegraph House) and a group of fellow artists interested in joining the venture. On August 3rd, 1996 the seven founding members launched the gallery with a grand opening. The artists included Diane, Betty, Jean, Flossie, Andy Bernardo, Kay Janes and Jan Row.
Betty, Diane and Jean agree that Port Stanley has been a great location for the gallery. Jean says, “People come back to the inns year after year and stop in here.” Visitors come from all over the world, but in greatest numbers from London as well as from along the whole Kitchener to Windsor corridor. Diane notes, “People often come specifically to see one artist … and then look through the gallery.” Betty laughs, “Some of us have a ‘room’ down at the Kettle Creek Inn (the guestrooms feature a specific artist’s work) and people will come in and say, ‘Oh, I’m in your room.’” Visitors to Portside are often return customers, ‘girl-trippers’ or couples on a getaway.
The three artists were quick to point out the many rewards they have found in interacting with visitors to the gallery. Diane says, “It’s so positive here. People come in and they interact with the art and for me that was my initial incentive when we were starting Portside.”
Betty, Diane and Jean agree that Port Stanley has been a great location for the gallery. Jean says, “People come back to the inns year after year and stop in here.” Visitors come from all over the world, but in greatest numbers from London as well as from along the whole Kitchener to Windsor corridor. Diane notes, “People often come specifically to see one artist … and then look through the gallery.” Betty laughs, “Some of us have a ‘room’ down at the Kettle Creek Inn (the guestrooms feature a specific artist’s work) and people will come in and say, ‘Oh, I’m in your room.’” Visitors to Portside are often return customers, ‘girl-trippers’ or couples on a getaway.
The three artists were quick to point out the many rewards they have found in interacting with visitors to the gallery. Diane says, “It’s so positive here. People come in and they interact with the art and for me that was my initial incentive when we were starting Portside.”
“It’s surprising how many people come in and you can tell if they are really interested and even if they are painters – they want to get right up close and look,” says Betty. Often the ensuing conversations are a sharing of ideas on various art topics and techniques.
While working on new shows and interacting with the public both provide incentives to paint, the artists all agree that the partnership itself is another motivator. Some of the partners have changed over the twenty years, along with the associate membership. The present partners have, for the most part, been on-board for quite a while. Along with Betty, Diane and Jean, they include Jerry Cutting, Pat Curtis, Patricia Johnson, Kit Cutting, S'ine Maule, Susan Shurish and Patti Fisher. When they gather to go over business, plan shows and openings, have workshops or work together, they all benefit from the camaraderie, encouragement and fun (often, it would seem, quite boisterous and noisy fun).
Since opening, Portside has been situated in four different locations on Main Street. Along with venue changes, members have also seen some shifts in the local art scene. Diane notes, “I think that people are more open to abstract art than they were a few years ago. They know how to look at it now.”
Jean says, “There used to be a lot more watercolour work. And there are a lot more artists now – we belong to two associations which presently have over 100 members each.” They find there are also more venues for showing art.
Diane says of their Port Stanley location, “It’s only going to get better with things like the new walkway and pier developments.” The partners have worked hard to develop their creative talents, present a variety of excellent art, and share it in a welcoming manner.
Openings at the gallery are always popular. The one for 20 Years in Retrospect is sure to live up to that reputation as the artists celebrate enduring and rewarding relationships amongst themselves and with visitors to “Portside”.
While working on new shows and interacting with the public both provide incentives to paint, the artists all agree that the partnership itself is another motivator. Some of the partners have changed over the twenty years, along with the associate membership. The present partners have, for the most part, been on-board for quite a while. Along with Betty, Diane and Jean, they include Jerry Cutting, Pat Curtis, Patricia Johnson, Kit Cutting, S'ine Maule, Susan Shurish and Patti Fisher. When they gather to go over business, plan shows and openings, have workshops or work together, they all benefit from the camaraderie, encouragement and fun (often, it would seem, quite boisterous and noisy fun).
Since opening, Portside has been situated in four different locations on Main Street. Along with venue changes, members have also seen some shifts in the local art scene. Diane notes, “I think that people are more open to abstract art than they were a few years ago. They know how to look at it now.”
Jean says, “There used to be a lot more watercolour work. And there are a lot more artists now – we belong to two associations which presently have over 100 members each.” They find there are also more venues for showing art.
Diane says of their Port Stanley location, “It’s only going to get better with things like the new walkway and pier developments.” The partners have worked hard to develop their creative talents, present a variety of excellent art, and share it in a welcoming manner.
Openings at the gallery are always popular. The one for 20 Years in Retrospect is sure to live up to that reputation as the artists celebrate enduring and rewarding relationships amongst themselves and with visitors to “Portside”.
Portside Gallery is located at 187 ½ Main Street, Port Stanley; portside.cuttingpromotions.com; 519-782-7066. Open daily Mar to Oct, 11am-5pm. 20 Years in Retrospect runs for the month of June, with the opening reception on Sunday June 12th, 1-4pm.