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Why not two art galleries in Burns Lake?

Editor: Why can't there be two art/gift galleries? Especially since we do not carry all the same things.

Editor:

Burns Lake has two grocery stores, three gas stations, several small clothing stores and three pharmacies/drugstores; there are two places that sell flowers and two hardware type stores; three are even two dollar stores. Why can't there be two art/gift galleries? Especially since we do not carry all the same things but between the two places, can offer a wider variety of items for the consumer. What Lakes Artisan Centre (LAC) offers is another choice. This could be a win/win situation for the artists/artisans of Burns Lake. It seems to me that we could help each other. LAC does send people to Process 4, whenever we don't have what customers are looking for.

What did E. Martens means about a portion of the sales from concerts going back to the community? If I (or the other artisans) sell in the artisan centre, the money ends up being put back into our community. I support Process 4, shopping there for art supplies and gifts. I have displayed my art there and have shown during concerts as well.

E. Martins mentioned other outlets for displaying local art... the last time there was a show at the heritage centre, was April 2008. The artist guild folded after that due to lack of interest by most of the artisans. Art Around Town... very few, it seems, want to take part in that as only the same four-six people are willing to participate. Of these two, neither provides an outlet for the artists who do pottery, carvings in soapstone, antler or wood, hand woven products, dried wild mushrooms, body products, jewelry, quilts and baby products or cards. They were/are an outlet only for art that can be hung on the wall. LAC helps bridge that gap.

While I understand some of the comments about the rent (and what it covers) being unfair, it's still better than having another store front sit empty in Burns Lake. We don't see it as the village subsidizing us, but us saving the taxpayer money that would be spent on maintaining an empty building. We've been paying a fair rent that covers those costs. If, however, other local artists don't want to support us and the village decides not to renew our contract, we will have to close. Burns Lake and the local artists will lose out and that's a shame, because there really is room for everyone.

Lorna Hannett

Burns Lake.