This letter is in response to Dave Cunningham’s comments about moving the art studios out of St. Albert Place to make room for library expansion in (Gazette, July 15).
I am Deirdre Allen, a proud resident of St. Albert and writing on behalf of the St. Albert Place Visual Arts Council (SAPVAC). SAPVAC is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization. This is a liaison group made up of the users of the visual arts wing in St. Albert Place. Those users include: the Floral Art Society, the St. Albert Painters’, Potters, Quilters’ and Paper Arts Guilds, the Art Gallery of St Albert and the City of St. Albert Cultural Services Department.
Visual arts has played an active role in St. Albert since 1861. In 1962 the St. Albert Arts and Craft Guild was formed and our home was the basement of the St. Albert Community Hall. We then moved to two portables next to Vital Grandin School. In 1974 a civic masterplan was developed, which determined that a combined civic and cultural centre would best meet the needs of the growing community. Renowned Métis architect Douglas Cardinal was chosen to design a building that included city council chambers, administrative offices, a museum, a performance theatre, a public library and arts and crafts facilities. Facilities that included the infrastructure for an outside chimney for the gas kiln, a roof-top unit for the ventilation system, a glazing room, chemical room, two spray booths and four studios: pottery, painting, multicraft and quilting.
As stated on a bronze plaque in the lobby…“Place St. Albert Place This building, representing a blending of Arts, Literature, History and civic government, is dedicated to the residents of the City of St. Albert. Through their contributions, support and community pride dreams become a reality. Officially opened June 2nd, 1984.”
SAPVAC is proud of the work of our early members. Members who fundraised for the building of St. Albert Place and worked with Douglas Cardinal to design the arts and crafts facility.
Over the past 20 years SAPVAC has contributed $180,525 through casinos, grants and fundraising. Our members have also supported numerous community events including: Children’s Festival, StARTS Festival, Canada Day, Harvest Festival, Snowflake Festival, Amplify Youth Festival and the list goes on. We also provide programming, technical and maintenance support.
Total studio usage is over 130,000 users per year, through guild activity, school tours, community programs and events.
SAPVAC and its members were instrumental in building St. Albert Place, a people place, a source of pride, a work of art, a gathering spot for our community, a hub of performing, visual, historical and literary arts. This is a vibrant centre in the heart of our botanical arts community – St. Albert.
Deirdre Allen, St. Albert
