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Art gallery seeking new home after decade in historic bank building

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The Orange Art Gallery, a hub for local artists that’s operated for the past decade at a 125-year-old former bank west of downtown Ottawa, will soon close its doors.

According to co-owner Ingrid Hollander, the gallery’s landlord refused to renew their lease, which ends on Dec. 31.

Hollander told CBC Radio’s In Town and Out that the landlord plans to leave the City Centre Avenue building vacant.

“They’re telling me that they have not leased it to anybody else, that they just want to keep it empty,” she said.

CBC has reached out to District Realty, which represents the building’s owner, but has not yet heard back.

 

In Town and Out10:28Orange Art Gallery lease ending

We visit gallery co-owner Ingrid Hollander as she prepares to say goodbye to the home of Orange Art Gallery, aftert her landlord decided not to renew tehir lease.

Public support strong

Hollander said the public has shown a lot of support for the gallery since the news came out of their impending closure, buying paintings, writing letters and signing a petition to extend their lease.

The building they’ve occupied, formerly a CN railway bank, has also served as popular venue for weddings and other events since the gallery moved in, Hollander added.

Last weekend, the gallery threw its last event: a party celebrating its decade-long run in the community.

Hollander says around 200 people showed up.

“It’s been nice to know that so many people cared and showed support and had a good time here,” she said.

Gallery co-owner Ingrid Hollander hopes the 125-year-old building will eventually get a heritage designation that would prevent it from being demolished. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

‘Still not totally real’

Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster, who represents the area, says a motion is set to come to council in January to propose giving the former bank a heritage designation and prevent it from being torn down.

Hollander fears that could be the reality once Orange Art Gallery moves out.

She said it “hurts” to have to close, since the gallery holds a lot of fond memories for the community and the 25 artists who’ve displayed their work there.

“To be honest, it’s still not totally real to me. I think it’s only going to be real when I really just take the paintings off the walls,” she said.

But that won’t be until absolutely necessary, she told CBC.

Hollander says the Orange Art Gallery will remain open to the public until their lease is up on Dec. 31. (Giacomo Panico/CBC )

Doors remain open until Dec. 31

The gallery will be open to the public during its regular hours until Dec. 31, with the exception of Christmas and Boxing Day.

The plan after that is to keep up an online presence until Hollander can find a new home for the gallery.

“Everybody really, of course, wants us to find another venue, so it’ll be a little tricky to find a space that competes with this one,” she said.

“But in the end it’s like moving from a house.”

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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