THE GOOD PLACE
Art in the Community
A vibrant, creative hub, the Gimli Art Club is committed to fostering, promoting and supporting artists of all levels.
By Kate Rae
Artworks by members of the Gimli Art Club — from oil and acrylic paintings to clay sculptures and stained glass pieces — are sold in the club’s gallery, which is open to the public. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF GIMLI ART CLUB
THE RESORT TOWN OF GIMLI on the shores of Lake Winnipeg is well known for its picturesque beaches and rich Icelandic culture and history. “It’s a great little town 50 minutes from Winnipeg and it’s got everything you need,” says artist Don Fletcher. It’s also known for the Gimli Art Club, a community cornerstone for the region’s artists.
Established in 1969 by three local artists, the non-profit group now provides space, education and resources to the area’s established and curious artists who wish to explore everything from acrylics and sculpture to charcoal and ceramics. The 107 members of the club each pay $100 in annual fees for full access to the studios (including the pottery wheels and kiln), workshops and special events. Any seasonal or permanent resident of Manitoba’s Interlake region is welcome to join.
“There’s a lot of members that don’t sell; they just do it for fun. But upwards of 50 artists have their work in the gallery.”
The workshops, which are held daily, are geared to those who want to hone their skills or learn a new medium, and there’s a different focus each time. Mondays are for sketching, Tuesdays are for painting in oils, and Wednesdays are for watercolours. “People can come and bring any type of art to get a mentor or to ask questions, and on Feedback Friday, you just come and throw things out there,” says Fletcher, Gimli Art Club’s president.
On weekends, members gather in the studio space to work on their projects while connecting with fellow artists. Once you’ve been a member for six months and commit to volunteer hours, you can sell your art in the gallery out front, which welcomes thousands of visitors in the warmer months. “There’s a lot of members that don’t sell; they just do it for fun,” says Fletcher. “But upwards of 50 artists have their work in the gallery.” Seventeen percent of sales proceeds go to the club, and the artists keep the rest.
The ages of club members vary — an intergenerational aspect that allows the more established artists to provide invaluable mentorship to the emerging ones. Visitors to Gimli can view the works of current and former club members year-round along the Gimli Seawall Gallery in the harbour, where dozens of small murals depict local history and landmarks.
“It’s a really cool club we’ve got going on,” Fletcher says. “We’ve got so many talented people here.” CAA
The Gimli Art Club is a CAA Member–nominated organization.
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