Sunday, December 1, 2019 ~ COLWOOD
by Mary P Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
The Coast Collective Art Centre on Wale Road in Colwood is organized and operated as a non-profit by the Society for the Arts on the South Island.
Their president Laura Davis made a presentation to Colwood Council on Monday evening, November 25. She emphasized the range of activities for artists and the public, including exhibits, sales and drop-in art events.
Davis thanked Colwood: for the tax exemption that “allows us to keep the doors open”. They rent a storefront in a high quality office and hotel building in a high-traffic area of Colwood’s commercial area.
The society serves youth and children in the community and provide ideas to the community on how local community arts can be enhanced. They are working on ideas like an artist in residence, permanent art structures, and a gallery or teaching space in a community space at a waterfront property. Their mission is presently entirely with visual arts including a heritage and cultural component.
“We much appreciate you being in our community,” said Mayor Rob Martin. “You make a qualitative and quantitative contribution,” he said after the presentation.
Revenues from January to September 2019 were $106,157 as received from education classes (66%), membership fees (10%), gift shop (10%), Westridge Gallery (6%), Main Gallery (6%), and other (3%). Expenses include premises, staff, supplies and marketing.
The Coast Collective group has 68 volunteer members and 42 other members. This month they will hold a reception on December 14 as part of their 12th Annual Gifts & Wishes exhibit and sale which opened November 20 and runs Wednesdays through Sundays to December 22, at 103-318 Wale Road.
==== This article was first published on page 3 in the November 29, 2019 print-PDF edition of West Shore Voice News.