Holden Gallery Flourishing Through Efforts of Volunteers

Holden Gallery Flourishing Through Efforts of Volunteers

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Elaine Cooper was a remarkable woman whose outstanding commitment to the community of Holden will never be forgotten.

Joy Zoopkow talked about her friend’s vision for a legacy garden on the grounds of The Gallery, a former Lutheran church that has been converted into an art gallery and showcases the work of 50 artisans, artists and crafters.

The Gallery is owned by the Village of Holden and operated by the artist guild, Studio 14 Association. The former church dates back more than 100 years and has served as an art gallery for the past 11 years.

Newly painted art gallery. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)

The volunteer board members have poured countless hours into creating this one-of-a-kind gem, and now they are forming a special committee for the Serenity Garden project. Zoopkow, who is a director on the board said she has spoken to a number of people since Elaine’s passing on July 28 who have contributed time and dollars towards the project.

Some people have purchased benches for Serenity Garden that will be installed next spring along with planting of shrubs and flowers. Zoopkow said Elaine would be happy and proud of the support the project has received, and she hopes they will be able to bring her vision to life and honour her memory in a way befitting of her.

Elaine Cooper. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Zoopkow said she plans to assist with the progress of the garden and is working on a dedication for Elaine which she hopes will raise more funds for the project. Zoopkow is very grateful for the support of fellow board members which include: President Julianne Foster, Vice President Dave Maruszeczka, Treasurer Gail Alger, Secretary Lucy Upham and Director Mark Giebelhaus.

She is also grateful for the support of the Village of Holden that applied for a funding under the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Stimulus Program. The grant application was successful and allowed for the church, which is a designated provincial historic site, to receive funding to paint the church. The grant also allowed for the painting of the Holden Museum and the Village of Holden’s former public works shop that has been converted into the NU2U2 second hand clothing store.

Zoopkow noted that in the summer of 2020 Elaine was instrumental in organizing the painting of three buildings on main with the addition of planters and benches. She said it was a herculean effort by a wonderful group of people. Now that the Gallery, NU2U2 and the Holden Museum are painted our village is really coming back to life.