I don’t know where people get the idea that art galleries are stuffy places to be avoided.
Maybe they were taken to fine art galleries on elementary school field trips, where they were admonished to keep their distance from the art.
Maybe they’re reminded of movies where someone scratches their nose at an art auction and accidentally finds themselves on the hook for an expensive Picasso.
Maybe they’re put off by incomprehensible artists’ statements.
Art galleries, especially the ones in Saskatchewan’s small towns, are great places to get to know a community. You find some amazing art and even more amazing people at these galleries. There’s nothing stuffy about them.
On Canada Day, we dropped in on our friend, Linda Kennedy at Gallery 148 in Elbow. People were milling around downtown after the parade. Elbow closes a portion of its main drag for a street party and dance, and Gallery 148 gets a front-row seat to the festivities. The door was open wide and a cool breeze was blowing through the gallery.
Naturally, the place started filling up. It was good to see so many people mingling with each other and with the art. Linda was flitting about greeting everyone and proudly showing off all the work on exhibit.
Linda added an outdoor sculpture garden earlier this year. Much of the art that sat indoors previously is now outside, where it has space to breathe. But don’t worry, it’s all work that’s meant to be outside. With tables shaded by big umbrellas, the garden is a perfect place to take it easy on a hot summer afternoon.
Update: February 20, 2021
After seven wonderful seasons, Linda closed Gallery 148 in 2021. The gallery is now home to Archer & King Collective.