Two arts groups have found new homes following the closure of the Arts and Craft Cabin, located next to the old library building.
“We are pretty excited,” said Betty Hobbs, pottery teacher, who said her class is moving to the art room at the high school.
The group was at the cabin one last time Nov. 9 to pick up their finished wares and box up as much as they could for moving day last Wednesday. The class was hesitant about the move when first discovering the cabin would close. They liked having a building dedicated to the arts and didn’t know if a new location would provide permanence. A joint use agreement, between council and Chinook’s Edge School Division was signed earlier this fall for a five-year term. A schedule for her group has since been hammered out, allowing for pottery classes at the school starting the first week of February.
“The first class will be on February 7 and the class is half full already,” said Hobbs. She said the class will be located in one of the art rooms and she’s heard there’s been some interest from students as well. More information on how to register is expected to appear in the next community guide, she added.
The Innisfail Art Council will open January in the tearoom at the Historical Village.
“It’s an open studio; anyone who wants to be a member is welcome to use it. It’s a place to stop in and work on a project and get the mutual support of other artists,” said president Iris White, who said space is offered Mondays noon to 10 p.m.
“We haven’t been in the space yet so we’re not sure how it’ll work but we will be figuring it out as we go.” She said as an example, the lighting isn’t adequate for painting at this point but the council has been working with the town to improve it.
White is eager that people in the community who are not yet members might join, and she is looking for feedback on classes people would be interested in.
White said classes will start in January as well.
“We do have guest artists come in and give techniques starting in the first week.” For more information on the arts council, contact 403-227-2455.
