Sometimes the best ideas are the ones you never planned. The story of The Big Art Gallery At The Falls began with a painting.
The Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce operates Visitor Services in Victoria Park, where we have the pleasure of greeting thousands of visitors each season. In June, local artist Chris Dickson stopped by with a gorgeous acrylic painting she had just recently completed of Smiths Falls’ newly installed Confederation Bridge.
Chris had also created prints and postcards of the painting and asked if we might consider carrying them at the Visitor Centre.
Of course, we were thrilled to say yes.
But as Chris and I chatted, another idea began to take shape.
I had recently been approached by the Downtown Business Association about helping to redecorate a vacant storefront on our main street. With the busy tourism season quickly approaching, we wanted to make sure our downtown core looked as bright, welcoming and vibrant as possible.
We had recently placed oversized promotional posters in another vacant storefront and had received a tremendously positive response. It got me thinking: What if we did something more?
Perhaps it was the promise of a beautiful summer season. Perhaps it was simply the creative synergy of two people meeting for the first time. Whatever it was, within an hour of meeting Chris, we were standing outside the vacant storefront at 25 Beckwith Street North, peeking through the windows and imagining what could be.
It was perfect. High ceilings. Large windows. Track lighting already in place. It wasn’t difficult to imagine art filling the walls. And then things moved very quickly.
Just two weeks later, a lease had been secured, funding organized, and a fresh coat of paint had transformed 25 Beckwith Street into a space ready for art.
While we were busy painting, a call went out to local artists and an exhibition was juried. Before we knew it, the walls were filled, the artwork was hung and a vernissage was organized.
Twenty days after Chris and I first met, we were standing in a packed gallery for our inaugural vernissage, surrounded by incredible local artwork, artists, friends, family and members of our community. Looking around that room on opening night, it was hard to believe that the entire thing had come together from a chance conversation just 20 days earlier.
And perhaps that’s the magic of community. One person has an idea. Another person says, “Why not?” Someone opens a door. Someone else brings a little courage, creativity and a willingness to make it happen. And suddenly, something exists that wasn’t there before.
Since opening, The Big Art Gallery At The Falls has made a meaningful impact on our local arts community. It has provided local artists with a place to showcase their work, brought new life and energy to a downtown storefront, and given residents and visitors another reason to wander down Beckwith Street.
But perhaps one of the greatest gifts has been the friendships that have come from it.
The gallery has become more than four walls filled with beautiful art. It is a place to meet people, discover local talent, have a conversation, take a break from the hustle and bustle of the day, and simply enjoy the beauty and creativity that exists right here in our own community.
With our 3rd exhibition coming to an end November 1, we are looking forward to a 4th exhibition that will celebrate the magic of the holiday season. The enthusiasm surrounding the gallery continues to grow, and we welcome you to visit. The Big Art Gallery At The Falls has received vital financial support from Canopy Growth, The Town of Smiths Falls, and The Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association, for which we are all deeply thankful.
What started with one beautiful painting and a chance meeting has become something much bigger than either of us could have imagined.
And that, perhaps, is the very best part of The Big Art Gallery At The Falls. It wasn’t carefully planned. It just happened.
