R:ED Meeting: Artists in the Exchange

A r t i s t s   i n   t h e   E x c h a n g e

This event will feature a discussion by Bill Thiessen about how we can work cooperatively and help local artists, a discussion with Exchange artists and a private art show!

The artists and galleries of the Exchange make up one of the strongest and most important components of the area.  Access that residents of the Exchange have to this resource is truly what makes this district unique in Winnipeg.

However the perception from some artists is that new development (including residential development) is pushing the art community away from the exchange due to increased rents or reuse of historic buildings and therefore is a negative influence.

Bill Thiessen will be discussing ways he has been working to bring together artists with residents to achieve mutually beneficial situations. Bill will discuss how he has had local artists provide art work for display at homes for sale.  The art beautifies the suite – helping both sell the unit and the art!  He has also sponsored open house events at owners homes with showings of artists work to great success.

This is a great start, but there is so much more to do.  The more artists in the area are exposed to residents, the more they will see the potential for showing and selling art that this "built in" customer base provides them.  Bill’s discussion will focus on ways to better integrate the artist and resident communities.

Of course one of these ways is the meeting itself, fostering better communication between residents and artists.  We hope to have some artists talk to us about their challenges and their roots in the Exchange.

And the last component of the meeting, a private art show for R:ED.  We have an opportunity to purchase art before the public showing the following day.  It promises to be an informative and fun event!