Looking ahead at a new Community Art Hub

The Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery, shown here in its longtime home in Frank, is inviting residents to take part in a Nov. 9 community visioning workshop to help shape the future of the gallery as it prepares for relocation. John Kinnear photo

CNP Allied Arts Association hosts visioning session Nov. 9 as it prepares for major transition

On Sunday November 9th the Crowsnest Pass Allied Arts Association (CNPAAA) is holding an important Community Visioning Workshop at the art gallery from 1pm to 3pm. The Association is looking to engage all of us living here in the Pass, to help their board create a vibrant, resilient and inclusive new community art hub. There are big changes coming for this dynamic and hard working group and now is the time that they have chosen to offer this immersive gathering with the community. 

The gallery building has been sold to Alberta Transportation  to allow for the widening of the existing highway. Consequently they have found themselves in the process of finding a new location and planning its important functions. 

Community visioning is a collaborative approach to planning that treats community members as change-agents in their own right. It means bringing them into the process of determining the north-star of the associations strategic path.  This approach will ultimately foster stronger connections to the community and also ensure that the initiatives undertaken are desirable and aligned with the values of the people they serve.

For now the Art Gallery continues to operate  in the old Frank Community Hall where it has been for the last thirty five years. The Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery is managed by the Crowsnest Pass Allied Arts Association which was formed 40 years ago this coming May.  It is a not- for- profit organization with the mission to provide and promote education in the arts for all people. 

The  Art Gallery also provides rotational monthly exhibitions of local, provincial and national art. To promote education in the arts, the Gallery offers art programs for adults and youth throughout the year.  The Gallery also hosts many special events including concerts, musical performances and theatre performances. There are also markets, special meals, choir practice, workshops, book launches, poetry readings, song writer circles and much more. The Association is always looking  to engage the community in all aspects of the arts. 

A new monthly rotational exhibit  is going to be launched this Saturday, November 8th with a reception from 1pm to 3pm. The artist, David Harrison, will be giving a talk at 2pm about this solo exhibition entitled, “ Works on Paper: A Retrospective..

In their special gift shop visitors can purchase a wide variety of unique products including art works, pottery, art cards and books from over 50 local and area artists. This dynamic and important arts centre is open seven days a week and admission is free. 

Everyone is welcome to join them on November 9th for the Community Visioning Workshop where we will come together as a community to share ideas and imagine what our ideal creative space in the Crowsnest Pass could be.