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Arts & Culture: New downtown shop a haven for local artists

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Earlier this year, the Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Area proudly announced 21 business openings in the city’s core since early 2021. One of these new businesses is Amberhill Gallery & Gift Shop.

Amberhill Gallery, named for the street in Aurora, Ont., where its owner, Sarah Moreau, grew up, promotes and sells work by local artists, and hosts classes and discussions to encourage creative energies.

Like Kyle Marcus, the managing director of Downtown Sudbury BIA and owner of the Alibi Room cocktail bar, Moreau, 27, is a member of a new generation of entrepreneurs who are investing in the health of the city’s centre.

“I think it’s great to be downtown. There is a lot of foot traffic. People are starting to come back downtown. It is great to see people discovering the new businesses,” she said.

Browsers will be delighted by the shop’s eclectic selection of fun buttons and stickers, whimsical knitwear, handmade jewelry, dried floral arrangements, puzzles, books, cards, ceramics, vintage clothing, and art and craft supplies.

“I carefully select the things we carry, Canadian-made for the most part, and I prioritize things made locally,” said Moreau.

The gallery at 149 Durham St. is situated near the Elgin Street strip of shops, restaurants and Place des Arts, and located in the historic Moses Block. The “flatiron” building, built more than a century ago by one of Sudbury’s pioneer entrepreneurs, Hascal Moses, was for many years home to a popular bookstore and newsstand.

Love brought Moreau to Sudbury in 2020. The graduate of the Arts and Business Program at the University of Waterloo was working as a graphic designer for RBC in Toronto when the COVID-19 pandemic changed how we all worked and lived.

Moreau was able to work from home, and it didn’t matter if she was in Toronto or Sudbury, her boyfriend’s hometown.

“We decided to move in together during the pandemic,” said Moreau. “I have been in Sudbury for two years.”

Life in a “slower lane” provided her an opportunity to realize her dream of opening a gallery and shop in May 2022, something she might never have been able to do in Toronto.

“I always dreamed of opening a little space that showcases local art and provides events such as workshops. This opportunity came up and I took it. I got the keys in April 2022 and opened a month later,” she said.

The social media savvy entrepreneur has a website to promote Amberhill Gallery, sell merchandise, and to blog about news, discounts and events. Moreau also emails a newsletter to subscribers.

Moreau makes good use of the triangle-shaped display window to feature work by the “artist of the month.”

Fluttering Things by stained-glass artist Susan Loewen is featured in March.

The window is lighted to be enjoyed at night as well as during the day, said Moreau, who is pleased by the response to her gallery since it opened.

An interdisciplinary artist herself, Moreau specializes in fibre art. She creates unique crocheted clothing, accessories and decor items which are sold under the brand name Feminist Fibre.

Amberhill Gallery & Gift Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Vicki Gilhula is a freelance writer. Arts & Culture is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.

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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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