A new art gallery has replaced the former antique store on Knowlton Road.
After completing some renovations, the Art Lab art gallery celebrated its official opening over the Easter weekend on April 8. The art gallery serves as an extension of art studio Art Lab 341 and it is meant to show off the work of its artists and other artists in the Eastern Townships.
“Art Lab 341 is a studio that is open to the public, everybody can go to visit, but it’s a bit far from downtown. Most of the time, tourists don’t walk there, they don’t walk to Maple (Street),” said Michel Gamache, one of the Art Lab 341 artists, painter, and instigators for the art gallery.
As a result, they wanted to find a more central location that people tend to flock to when in the area.
“The reason why we decided to come here is to make the pieces of art available to the tourists and the local people to see our art, and not only our art. It’s also for artists from everywhere in the Eastern Townships,” noted Gamache.
Art Lab 341 includes artists such as painters and sculptors Marie-Josée Gravel and Jocelyne Tremblay, ceramist Rachel Grenon, and painters Dominique Perron and José Fillion.
The Art Lab art gallery is currently exhibiting a painting provided by Galerie Valentin and works by multidisciplinary artist Ma Ani from Galerie Man Ani.
“We have Ma Ani, she bought the old Bishop building, now we have her and she shows her art. She sold both of her paintings over the weekend, so we are very lucky,” mentioned Gamache. “(…) We also have other artists. We have Alice Tankay downstairs to show some pieces. So it’s open to everyone.”
Gamache explained that he thinks the gallery will have a positive impact for the artists that work out of their homes. It will also allow tourists and locals to discover new artists.
“Many artists are in their home and their studio by themselves, they cannot show their art to the public. This gallery is going to offer them to be able to show everybody,” he said.
The Art Lab art gallery is located at 300 Knowlton R. For more information, call 514-237-0100 or go to the ArtLab 341 Facebook page.
Listen to the full interview below: