Christmas 2020 at the Gallery is a GO!
By Contributor
The Kootenay Gallery of Art is offering Christmas at the Gallery, the annual exhibition and sale of creations by local artisans. But with the current health circumstances, the gallery has set up new events and protocol to offer safe and healthy shopping options.
“We will be limiting the number of visitors in the gallery to 20 people at a time. As a result, we are expanding our usual opening event from a couple of hours in the evening to an all-day open house, from 12 noon to 7:00 pm on November 13. We are also having a special members-only event to thank them for their support,“ explains Executive Director, Val Field.
The COVID pandemic has been difficult for many of us, especially independent artists and entrepreneurs, who often depend on markets to meet buyers. The Kootenay Gallery is proud that Christmas at the Gallery can be a safe space for visitors to access beautiful, hand-crafted Kootenay gift items.
The gallery has also a couple of online options for those who don’t want to be out in public extensively or for those who don’t have time to shop. Earlier this spring, when the gallery was closed to the public, the staff created an online gift shop, www.kootenaygallerygifts.com. Not everything from the physical gift shop is available online but there are a good number of pottery, jewellery and wood work items there. The site uses credit card or PayPal. You can choose pick up (free), local delivery for a small fee or shipping at Canada Post rates.
There are also a couple of virtual shopping events available too. On November 21 from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, board members Audrey Maxwell Polovnikoff and Judy Madelung will be hosting a FaceBook Live event. The two will give a virtual tour of Christmas at the Gallery. Viewers can message for details about the items, or request to buy goods. The items can be purchased later in person or over the phone. For a small fee, purchases can be delivered locally or shipped to places farther away.
The Kootenay Gallery is located at 120 Heritage Way, across the highway from the airport, between the Doukhobor Discovery Centre and the West Kootenay BC SPCA office. From November 13, the gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm. In December, the gallery is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, until December 23. Christmas Eve hours are 10 am – 2 pm.
This year has been difficult for many people. The Kootenay Gallery encourages everyone to shop locally when and where you can, whether it is from the gallery, directly from artists or from other local businesses. The gallery also wishes everyone a healthy and happy holiday.
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