Giving Imagination a Home: Rainforest Arts

Imagine a swallow, dipping and diving over a green field speckled with dandelions, a pond in the foreground, mountains off in the distance, a forest of cedar and birch trees crowding in at one side, a rustic cabin nestled into the other.

That captivating scene could be rendered in oils, stained glass, a 3D composition of polished wood and stone, as a hooked rug, a black and white photo, in folds of origami. Art renders our world through many lenses, styles and materials, each pleasing or shocking in its own ways. The artists, whose works are on display on the walls, plinths and shelves of

Rainforest Arts have been sharing their visions of our world for six years, since the gallery opened in 2016. It’s a space that gives inspiration a practical place to land and be admired. Asked what it’s been like fostering creative spirits in Chemainus, potter and founding RFA member Peggy Grigor said: “Wonderful. We support over 60 artists on the Island and provide them with a friendly, low commission outlet for their work. Artists feel at home in RFA and Chemainus is again building a reputation as a go to place to see and buy art.” Artists are featured at Rainforest Arts, but it’s a community of volunteers and supporters that makes the creative enterprise possible. Gallery Manager Stephanie Allesia estimates sales of between $33,000 and $41,000 annually, and contributions of over 1,700 volunteer hours.

Even through the pandemic Rainforest Arts continued to offer art lovers ‘mood boosts’, works they could simply look at, or buy to provide new perspective from the walls, tables or shelves in their homes. More recently the gallery has been able to up its hours again to seven days a week. RFA has also recently been invited by the Best Western Chemainus Hotel to hang local works there.

Rainforest Arts could not have been as successful as it has without the support of the Coastal Community Credit Union, which rents space to the gallery at a subsidized rate. “They are our biggest supporter,” Grigor said. “Their staff love us and feature our art in their space.” Art adds dimensions to our world that challenge notions of what’s possible. Imagine our friend the swallow, flitting out of its frame and swooping into the gallery, looking desperately for an exit until along comes an artist, who paints an open window for it to fly out of.

Margot Page

Enamelling on Copper and Steel

Rainforest Arts is located at 9781 Willow Street in downtown Chemainus, and is open 11am to 4pm daily. You can find out more at RainforestArts.ca or by calling 250-246-4861.

Written by Craig Spence Photos courtesy Art Carlyle

Jewelery • Vases • Journals • Guestbooks Frames • Bookmarks • Magnets • Lightswitch Plates Available locally at: Imagine at Artisans Rainforest Arts • Artzi Stu • Millstone Gallery

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