Corner store takes artistic vision to the next level

This art facility is turning heads in Invermere

A sample of some of the works on display in the Back Room Collaborators feature inside Village Arts, located at 1045 - 7th Avenue, on the corner of 12th Street. — Madison Samuel-Barclay photo

It doesn’t take a newcomer to Invermere to see that the lakeside town is thriving with artists and their unique and wide range of works, on display at the various art galleries and supportive shops along 7th Avenue. One such shop, located at 1045 - 7th Avenue, at the corner of 12th Street, is Village Arts and something of a headquarters for the Village Arts Society.

The shop and organization, established in 1983 by Invermere (and other Columbia Valley) residential artists, is committed to providing a permanent marketplace to feature the various works of artists within its society, as well as to let artists commune and share ideas and practices. Now taking this one step farther, Village Arts has just unveiled its Back Room Collaborators feature.

Originally concocted by local glass and jewellery artist Leslie Rowe-Israelson, the Back Room Collaborators feature is a mini-gallery that society artists can contribute to for each of its changing themes. Currently, the room’s theme is “The Global Forest,” and features artwork reminiscent of the Valley’s flourishing environment.

The next theme, coming up in October (and continuing through the winter) will be “Fall turns to winter," and already several society artists have been confirmed to be contributing work to the new display.

Staff at Village Arts report that customers have really enjoyed the new gallery feature, and hope to buff up its exposure through a sign that they’d like to hang above the nook where the art is on display.

For more information about the Back Room Collaborators, Village Arts or the Village Arts Society, call 250-342-6151.