A historic building with growing needs
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Struts Gallery in Sackville is raising funds this winter to support future renovations to its gallery building, while also preparing for one of its longest-running annual fundraisers in partnership with the Owens Art Gallery.
The artist-run centre has operated out of the space since 1996, and Struts purchased the building in 2018. Since then, planning work has focused on understanding the condition of the structure and what repairs will be needed over time.
Paul Henderson is the director of Struts Gallery.
“The building is built in 1912 actually. So it’s over a hundred years old. We’ve been in this building since 1996 and we were able to buy it in 2018. We’ve been doing feasibility studies and getting engineering assessments and a lot of quotes to conduct a major retrofit of the building.”
Planning renovations without closing doors
Henderson says the goal has been to plan carefully, so early repairs do not limit future options.
“We’re kind of like trying to create a modular, step-by-step list of priorities and work that we’re able to do that won’t essentially paint us into a corner.”
Over the past several years, Struts has worked with architects and engineers to identify what needs to be addressed first.
“Over the last five years, we’ve really pushed the project forward,” says Henderson, “We’ve worked with a variety of architects and engineers to develop plans for the building and assess what’s here and what are priorities in terms of structural things that need to get fixed. We’re hoping to raise $75,000 by this spring.”
No emergency yet, but time matters
Henderson says the building is not currently unsafe, but delaying repairs could create future problems.
“It’s stable and structurally sound. There doesn’t seem to be any major issues but it is getting worse. Five to 10 years will become closer to an emergency, so we’ll have to deal with some of those problems.”
A long-running Valentine’s tradition
Part of the fundraising effort includes Sweetest Little Thing, an annual Valentine’s fundraiser held in partnership with the Owens Art Gallery.
“Sweetest Little Thing is our annual fundraising art auction and sort of gala event up at the Owens Art Gallery. It happens on Valentine’s Day every year. It’s been going on almost 30 years and it is unique in that it’s two spaces and two galleries working together to do one fundraiser in the community.”
How the fundraiser works
The fundraiser includes an online and in-person auction, featuring work donated by artists.
“We usually get about a hundred artists who donate artworks for that. So it’s an online and in person auction so people can bid from all over the world and we will ship the artwork to them, but then you can also bid in person at the event.”
Henderson says the artwork can also be viewed in person.
“You can see it all online and then the exhibition is open at the Owens Art Gallery to the public as well. So you can go up and walk around and see all the works in person, which I highly encourage you to do.”
More than an auction
The Valentine’s Day event is designed to be social and community-focused.
“And over the course of the night, there’s a variety of activities.”
“We have karaoke, a sort of pie in the face competition, 50-50 draw, a photo booth. People get dressed up in the red, pink, sort of Valentine romancey themed, and it’s just a really nice event and tradition for people to do in Sackville on Valentine’s Day.”
The Sweetest Little Thing fundraiser takes place February 14, with the online auction running in advance.
Clinton Davis is a community journalist and audio producer covering the people, events, and ideas shaping the Tantramar region.
