The real soul of Art & Soul

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Published on Monday, July 16, 2018

photo by Cassandra Wehrhahn

Art & Soul is located inside the NACTV Building (The former Neepawa Press building) at 423 Mountain Avenue in Neepawa

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Neepawa Banner & Press

Drop by Art & Soul in Neepawa and you won’t just see a boutique and gift shop carrying items from soaps and jewellery to original paintings, you’ll also catch a glimpse of an artist at work.

Opening just in time for the Christmas season last year, Art & Soul is not a traditional retail space, it’s a collective of seven local artists who came together to found a space that’s for making art as much as it is for selling it.

The real soul of Art & Soul is in the artist workspace, giving local artists a space in which to practice their art, both alone and in collaboration with other artists in the collective.

“It’s such a joy and an inspiration to be with other artists,” says Michele Walmsley, a founding member of the collective. “There’s a wonderful creative energy that comes out of this kind of way of working together. For me, it’s really brought more creativity to the front.”

“Neepawa has always been known as a creative community,” adds Shannon Desjardins, another member of the collective. “It’s really rewarding to be able to add another place where we can both foster and show off that creativity.”

Local artists featured

In addition to Walmsley and Desjardins, local artists Ginny Collins, Gwen Baryla, Brad Mummery, Chris Inkster, and Rrain Prior each have a share in the collective, producing diverse works in several different mediums including pottery, wood art, and oil painting. When the loft is open to the public, at least one of them is usually on site actively creating the art that then goes on display. As well, several members offer classes to encourage creativity throughout the community and across all age groups.

“It’s really a welcoming environment, whether you’re an artist, or you’re shopping, or you’re just curious about what goes on behind the curtains when it comes to making art,” says Desjardins.

“It’s a real collaboration and it inspires us to do more and produce more work,” concludes Walmsley.

This work can be seen at the Art & Soul Artisans Loft, located at 423 Mountain Ave. (the old Neepawa Press building). The loft is entirely volunteer operated, so check the door or the Facebook page for opening hours.