MOUNT FOREST – A previously dark alley in downtown Mount Forest has been transformed into an art gallery thanks to support from local businesses and the work of local artists.
“It’s kind of a science experiment, because we’ve never done this before,” said artist and salon owner Erin Kiers.
She has been showcasing the work of local artists at her Main Street business, Hybrid Hair and Detox Spa (HHDS), since 2020.
“We offer basically a free space for local artists,” she said, explaining artists can display their works on the walls of her salon’s second floor, where she hosts events and yoga classes.
“We don’t charge any rent, and we don’t charge any commission,” Kiers said.
But because the space is on the second floor, it’s not very accessible.
At the same time, the alleyway a couple of doors down seemed to be begging to be spruced up.
“That was a real sketchy alleyway,” Kiers said.
It was a team effort, involving funding from the local Business Improvement Area (BIA) to light up the space and eight artists willing to create original artwork to adorn the brick wall, and the space that was once just a dark access point to parking at the rear of the buildings is now a gallery.
The gallery is located between the Royal LePage office and Pizza Pizza, and continues to provide access from Main Street to parking at the rear of the buildings.
Submitted photo
The space is more accessible for the artists, and brings the art out into the open, providing more chances for people to see it.
Kiers officially opened the HHDS Outdoor Gallery – located in the alley that runs between Pizza Pizza and the Royal LePage office – on Nov. 14 with an event that included live music and refreshments.
“The response to it was absolutely overwhelming,” she said.
Kiers said she took advantage of the extra volume of people out and about downtown during the Nov. 14 “Ladies Night” holiday shopping event put on by the Mount Forest Chamber of Commerce to welcome more people to check out the artwork.
The works themselves were created on an old real estate sign that was cut into equal portions to be repurposed as canvases for the artists.
“We always like to recycle and repurpose things if we can,” Kiers said.
Royal LePage RCR realtor Dwight Benson, who along with Kiers is a member of the BIA, said the project is part of the organization’s efforts to continue to improve the local business district.
“It has taken a village to do it all,” he said.
The hydro to light up the gallery is supplied by the real estate office, he noted.
Kiers is unsure how well the artwork will stand up to the elements, but said the space is relatively sheltered.
She hopes that having the work outdoors will help to give the artists more exposure, and maybe prompt people to come indoors to see what’s for sale upstairs at HHDS.
“They’ve been long-term supporters of the gallery,” she said of the artists included in the display, “and we wanted to reciprocate.”
She said the project is part of the efforts by her and her husband to make sure arts and culture are alive and well in Mount Forest.
“Don’t stand still for too long or we’ll paint you,” she joked.
Kiers and her family have also been involved in another project to beautify the downtown space: a mural on Main Street on plywood that hides a construction zone.
The mural, which previously featured a fireworks scene in honour of the town’s fireworks festival, is being updated for the winter season.
“If it makes people smile for a little while, it’s all worth it,” Kiers said.
