Words Jesse Holth
Photo Sarah Hartley Photography
Michelle Ford is the new owner of The Village Gallery in Sidney, now called V Gallery & Framing, with a supply section for artists. We chatted about artistic expression, refreshing a gallery space, and the importance of having public spaces for the arts.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
I have been a resident of Sidney for 41 years and raised two daughters on my own, both of whom are now working on undergrad degrees. As an avid traveller of more than 35 countries, I found an excuse to study abroad. The three of us moved to the U.K. for a year for my MA fine art program. I have a black belt in karate and come from an equestrian background. This is my second career – third if you count motherhood – and very different from my first. I never realized the arts were of interest when I was young and deciding what to do with my life. Now I eat, sleep and breathe art.
How did you come to take over the gallery? What made you decide to add an art supply section?
The previous owners were looking to retire, and I had the background, interest and energy to refresh a long-established Sidney business. I realized I wanted to immerse myself in the local arts scene, so I became an ArtSea Community Arts Council director. I envisioned a larger plan for the arts on the Peninsula: to bring it to national awareness and make it a destination for artists and appreciators. To succeed, I realized I needed the triumvirate: board position, art gallery and art supply. We now have the materials required for our artists to create, an exceptional geographical location for inspiration, and the venues by which they have opportunities to show their work.
You plan to expand the educational aspect of the gallery, with talks and tours about the artists or different genres of art. Why is this important?
In regards to genres of art, there is so much more than painting or sculpting: installation, public and interactive art, and performance, to name a few. Beyond representational art – scenes, objects, and people as we see them in reality – there is its opposite: surrealism. We also have abstract and a crossover in abstract representational styles. Modernism began in the 1800s when artists began to push against traditions and instead of creating for church, state and power, it became real-life or outspoken button-pushing kind of work – as well as experimental and mixed media, then eventually, social-environmental-political. The list and styles continue to evolve.
My education opened my eyes to the possibilities of art, more than only attractive or decorative creations – art is another way to address the human condition and realities of existence.
What is the role of art in a community? What can it teach us?
Art in all of its forms can prompt us to hope, appreciate, remember, understand, have compassion, open our awareness and stimulate conversation. One may complain or comment on the strange, weird and even “undesirable” art they see, but if they are still talking about it later, then it did its job.
The gallery has been invited to set up a three-month offsite exhibition in downtown Victoria from September to December. How does this work?
We choose established artists represented by V, whose works best represent the theme – in this case, the Island which surrounds us or island landscapes. In the form of original paintings and printmaking, I curate 12 to 16 works into a private members gallery for guests from across Canada, and potentially worldwide. Works are for sale as usual, and these artists are further exposed in a wider geographic area than Sidney and its visitors. In turn, room has been made in the gallery itself for new work and new artists.
You hope to raise the profile of Peninsula arts and culture on the international stage. How can this be accomplished?
More events and activities, which are in turn disseminated through conversation, excitement, and, of course, media. This is achieved by creating wonder and anticipation by an artist community and active arts council, who are imaginative, go-getters, dream big and act large. Also, through partnerships with all of the arts – not just visual, but also performative, musical, literary and more – in the form of councils, municipalities, art groups, local businesses, merchants and patrons.
As a member of the ArtSea Board of Directors, you want the gallery to function as a kind of hub for artists and cultural events. What does the future look like?
The ArtSea Board began to significantly evolve over the last year. With a fresh set of eyes and new energy, plans were set in motion; meanwhile, I succeeded in my triumvirate with a gallery to host and converse, art supply for the artists and board position to help as a team to make art happen!
There will be more and varying events planned by ArtSea, as well as an active and ever-changing face at V Gallery. Our next new event will be the Art of Living, celebrating the arts – not just visual, but also literary, musical and performance, as well as gastronomy, outdoor living, flowers and gardens, fashion and hair, the home … we are only limited by the imagination! Think about the “art of living” in a beautiful, fulfilling, and “small pleasures” way. Imagine shop windows – rooms of experience – where goods interact with artwork. Imagine a fine art show integrated with music, performance and readings.
We will also be increasing private funding, fundraising and sponsorship through increased public awareness and opportunities for groups such as youth, the future guardians or caretakers of our communities and heritage. We need to find a way to sustain ArtSea and the arts in a time of lessening funding and higher costs in putting on public events, as well as upkeep for the existing ArtSea Gallery at Tulista Park.
Finally, we are planning a central and architecturally designed building and outdoor space specifically to bring the arts together: public gallery and library, intimate performance space, exhibition space for local artists, ArtSea headquarters, outdoor sculpture and public art. I have travelled specifically to some incredible places for this experience and there is no reason why this beautiful part of the world shouldn’t have this opportunity as well. It would be a boon for our small businesses, hospitality industry, outdoor adventure companies, and for our artistic community.
