Two of Prince George's veteran arts entrepreneurs are grooping together.
Art gallery proprietor and mixed media (metal and paint) artist Melanie Desjardines is joining forces with commercial and artistic photographer Philomena Hughes. Hughes opened her first photography studio in Prince George 25 years ago less than a block from the Groop Gallery location at Third Avenue and George Street before moving into a home-based business arrangement in the historic crescents neighbourhood just west of downtown. She is in the process of selling that house and thus was also studio-homeless too.
The move will boost both their business interests and keep the doors open for the downtown's premier private exhibition space.
Desjardines had announced early this summer that due to her other business interests, she could no longer operate the part-time Groop Gallery facility she founded five years ago. It was taking more of her time and money than she could afford anymore, since she couldn't be open during regular business hours or operate it under a fiscally sound business model.
The first lifeline was thrown towards Groop by the Community Arts Council, which operates Studio 2880 and runs major arts events like Studio Fair and the Spring Arts Bazaar in their efforts to foster the local arts scene and local artists. The CAC board made contact with Desjardines to have exploratory conversations about how they might become involved to keep Groop open. Hughes, a CAC board member, was part of that consultation. When the CAC organization saw no viable partnership opportunity in the short term, but had keen interest in the long-term potential if only Groop could survive, Hughes saw a path to keep both those aspirations alive.
"When I came into the gallery to look it over and take pictures of it for our discussions as a board, I suddenly started to take a different view of it, even though I'd been inside Groop time after time over the years, just not thinking about it in those terms," said Hughes. "As I was in there, I saw all these people coming in off the street to look around, people dropping in to have conversations, and I felt the great vibe it has. I was suddenly seeing it with new eyes. I only had the CAC's interest in mind, but when it became clear that a partnership couldn't be arranged that quickly, and at the same time I was thinking about making some big changes on my own business operation, I got inspired. I can't say anything about what the arts council might want to do in the future, but since I'm going to be setting up shop in here, and that will help Melanie keep the doors open and add some new things to Groop, I can keep my eyes open for ways the CAC might be able to partner in the future when their circumstances are right."
First, Hughes has to move in and Desjardines has to make room.
"We don't even have to figure it all out right off the top. This place has always been a work in progress and it'll still be a work in progress," Desjardines said. "I'm just thrilled that a place so loved by the community - it really has been embraced by Prince George, so connected to the community - will get to carry on."
Desjardines will keep her main workshop at home, but Hughes's inclusion in running Groop will allow her to focus more on her creations.
"I wanted more than anything to get back to my own art," Desjardines said. "That had really suffered. I'd go a couple of months and never once get into my studio and that plays havoc with my psyche."
Local artists of almost every description will still be able to display their art for sale in Groop, but Hughes will produce and display her art photography from the downtown location while Desjardines's paintings will be prominently featured as well.
Since a close working relationship has existed for years between Groop and the CAC (it was the founding location for events like Art Battle and the 6x6 Art Auction), the possibilities are all the more alive for more partnerships with the region's overarching arts agency.
"Groop is a beacon. It's a hopeful, creative spot. There is just so much we can do for the arts community and for the downtown by working together," said Hughes.
"When Philomena came to the table, all of that suddenly became possible. She is my saviour," Desjardines said.
Sept. 12 will be a special open house at Groop to showcase the new personality and call out loudly and happily that reports of Groop's demise were premature.
