Streams Community Hub again taking over Shelburne Town Hall Art Gallery

May 23, 2024 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Local youth from Streams Community Hub have joined forces once again with professional artists for a month-long takeover of the Shelburne Town Hall Art Gallery.

The takeover of the Town Hall Art Gallery launched on May 6 and will run until the end of the month.

“It gives the kids a sense of pride to have their stuff up on the walls in a formal gallery setting and it’s cool for us to be able to be the catalyst for that,” said Andrew James, co-founder and president of Streams. “I hope [the community] is inspired and have a sense of pride to know that there’s a next generation of artists that are coming up and can represent the town and the arts in our community.”

“For many of the kids this is their very first experience in a gallery setting, so it’s super exciting,” explained Megan Mare, program coordinator for Streams Community Hub. “It’s amazing that we’re able to provide this opportunity for the kids in the community and professional artists as well to showcase their work and get their name out there.”

Held for the first time in 2023, the Streams Art Gallery Takeover exhibit aims to give exposure to budding youth artists by giving the community an opportunity to see their work on display.

This year the exhibit features more than 30 works of art from 11 artists from both youth and adult professional artists. The pieces of work on display range from a variety of art types including illustration, expressionism, abstract, and realism.

“We thought this was a great reflection of our community and very diverse in terms of the people but also the types of art being produced,” said Mare.

A unique aspect of the exhibit is that it blends the artwork of local youth, many of whom are learning and honing their craft, with pieces from practicing professional artists within Dufferin County.

“Although we are mainly a charity that offers programs for youth in the community from ages four to 17, we’re also a hub for practicing artists to find employment and to share their craft with youth,” said Mare. “It becomes full circle in that, the older generation is able to inspire the younger generation and I think that’s pretty crucial. The passion that practicing and professional artists are able to bestow upon the youth in our community, whether it’s through teaching or through gallery experience.”

Each piece of art featured in the Streams Art Gallery Takeover will be available for purchase, with prices ranging between $50 and $800. For each sale, 50 per cent of the selling price will be donated to Streams Community Hub, with buyers receiving a tax receipt for the charitable portion of their contribution.

Mare said the proceeds raised through the Streams Art Gallery Takeover will go directly to supporting the local charities’ programs including the purchasing of materials, employment for youth and professional artists, and development of new classes and programming.

“It becomes a win, win situation where not only are we acknowledging the hard work of the artists and their creative exploration, but also it funds future programs for Streams Community Hub,” said Mare.

The Streams Community Hub takeover of the Town Hall Art Gallery will run until May 31.