This city has long billed itself as an artist's haven. It hasn't been long since things were not so bountiful.
The cultural landscape of St. Albert in 1996 was small but full of possibility. Profiles Gallery was still in Grandin Mall. Arts and Heritage St. Albert was still two years away from incorporating. ArtWalk wasn't even a dream.
The Studio Gallery also appeared on the scene. The St. Albert Painters' Guild (originally called the St. Albert Painters' Tea Party) was several years old in 1996. It was still a long way from achieving the prominence it enjoys today with its semi-annual exhibits and sales in the main foyer of St. Albert Place.
"It took a few years," recalled founding member Carol Rose. "We had shows upstairs in a room – more selective shows. They were not in the lobby and they were not nearly as large. It wasn't anything like it is now."
Then along came Sandra and Eric Outram. The couple knew that there was a lot of artistic talent in the city still waiting for a showcase. They decided the opportunity was ripe for a new outlet. Not only did St. Albert produce many artists but it was also a place where many more saw themselves as fans of the visual arts.
And so Art Beat was born.
"It was in the time when limited edition prints were really huge," remembered Eric of the store's first incarnation on Perron Street. "Robert Bateman was doing editions of 25,000 and selling them out. It was something that we came towards the tail end of so we needed to change that. We started looking for original art."
The early days
That small 84-sq.-m. (900-sq.-ft.) location lasted only about 18 months before Pelland Place opened up. The high profile mansion-style market, home to the River House Grill was the next logical step in the fledgling gallery's growth. The spot right on St. Albert Trail next to the Sturgeon River bridge meant optimal visibility and the highest potential customer base: automobile traffic and pedestrian users of the Red Willow trail system.
As Sandra puts it, the riverside site was ideal.
"The walk-out basement was designed for us. It was a good space."
For six years, Art Beat was in seventh heaven. The economy was good, public awareness was high and business wasn't great but good enough. Considering that about half of sales came from the reliable picture framing side of operations, there was always a steady stream of revenue.
When the owners of the building went into receivership, a large 'For Sale' sign was put up. Even though Art Beat was still open for business, the community came under the false perception that the gallery was gone.
"We were the only tenants left in there. People assumed it was empty so traffic just dropped off," Eric said.
A new owner came on board but the Outrams knew that another change of scenery was needed. Fate provided them with an offer too good to refuse.
The street of dreams
There was a quaint but boxy aboveground storefront available at 26 St. Anne St. where the Sylvan Learning Centre was set up in the basement. This would be the foundation for its success, helping the Outrams to continue to launch many burgeoning artists' careers.
Laura Watmough was one such painter. She's a well-known gallery owner and painting teacher in her own right these days but back then, she was showing her art out of her own house.
The guidance she received from the Art Beat team was invaluable.
"They were very good at coaching artists to become more professional and to elevate their art by putting them into a professional location."
Getting that early support was critical, not just to foster the artists to produce higher quality work. It also served to give her a solid object lesson on how to strike out with her own place. Hidden Talent Fine Art School and Spotlight Gallery opened up in Campbell Park several years ago. It remains to this day one of the city's most popular centres of art education.
She added that art on a gallery wall elevates itself.
"It makes people appreciate it more. Anything that's framed and put on a wall is more valued."
She remains grateful for that formative experience and only hopes to pay it forward.
"When I began to open up my gallery, I took my cue from them. I feature artists that are up and coming so that I too can mentor and coach them just like Eric and Sandra did for most of St. Albert's artists."
The great art outdoors, courtesy of the Outrams
Sandra knew that as soon as Art Beat opened up on St. Anne Street, bigger things were meant to happen. She decided that she wasn't going to wait for the ball to get rolling.
"When we moved here eight years ago, we called Profiles. We called Jody [Reekie] at Modern Eyes and we said, 'Let's make an ArtWalk.' Somebody at Profiles said, 'We'll plan it for next year. We can't put it together in three weeks.' Well, sure we can! And we did, and we never looked back. ArtWalk is the greatest thing."
Starting with just a few locations that first year, it has grown to become a very popular attraction that occurs on the first Thursday evening of every month during the extended summer season. This year it even pushed the envelope with an April kickoff. It now boasts 15 sites including new signee Ken Allred MLA at his constituency office.
The legacy
Nurturing artists, becoming a reputable voice in local culture and spurring the economy through special events … that's what Art Beat stands for. The Outrams just celebrated their 15th anniversary last month and dropped a bit of news that they are selling the store.
"[Sandra] always said that, when the time was right, she would be quite prepared to move back to the coast and live by the sea."
They are almost done building their dream retirement home in B.C, leaving them to reflect on their accomplishments. They helped to put St. Albert on the map and its artists on their way to greatness.
"We've done good things," Eric stated, adding they have many loyal customers.
"We can certainly look ourselves in the mirror," Sandra said proudly.
