Anyone who has considered purchasing quality art would agree that the best way to know how the piece will look is to see it in the intended setting. Soul Gallery is a home filled with original art, and visitors to the gallery have the experience of viewing a diverse selection of fine art in a home context.
Unique Art Gallery in a Home
“This is a unique gallery concept,” says Julie Walsh, owner of Soul Gallery Inc. “There are not many like it in Canada.” She shares that a visit to Soul Gallery might change the way an individual views or displays fine art. “Most people need the visual to feel confident to purchase. The gallery offers a warm and inviting atmosphere where art is creatively displayed in well-appointed rooms. Patrons often remark this assists them in deciding how a piece might look in their setting.” Walsh is also the owner and designer of Beautiful Spaces Design Management Inc. As a designer, she is aware of the powerful synergy between art and design. “Clearly, art and design complement one another; whether finding the right piece of art for a client or designing a space to display a chosen sculpture or painting, the relationship works beautifully.” Walsh adds that clients benefit from her dual ownership of Soul Gallery Inc. and Beautiful Spaces, as she often consults in their homes or offices to assist in finalizing an art selection, and its placement. Represents Manitoba artists More than 100 paintings are showcased throughout the three floors of Soul Gallery, located at 163 Clare Avenue. “I represent artists from across Canada – Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario, and am being approached by artists from the United States,” Walsh says. A focus of Soul Gallery is to represent contemporary Manitoba artists and as a result, Soul Gallery has been the recipient of grant support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and
By Donna Minkus
Photography: Mike Sanders
Heritage through the Art’s Branch for the past two years. Manitoba artists include Katharine Bruce, Phil Brake, Chris Brown, Brigitte Dion, Sue Gordon, Marianne Gopalkrishna, Pat McCullough, Amanda Onchulenko, John King, Roger LaFreniere, Hugh Rice, Miriam Rudolph, Michel Saint Hilaire, Emina Tankovic and Inga Torfadottir. “I am honoured to represent all the incredible artists in the gallery, and I am humbled by their creativity,” she adds. “The fact that I get to promote them and live among their art is just amazing.” Walsh proudly points out that Soul Gallery is the first Canadian gallery selling contemporary bronze sculpture from Belgium. “A stunning bronze by Anne Vrielinck now graces the entrance of a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Phoenix, Arizona. Unique wood sculpture by Lloyd Klassen is part of the vast art collection at National Leasing in Winnipeg.” She plans to broaden her current collections in the gallery to include pieces that she will bring back from a trip to Europe this fall.
In fact, it was during a business trip to Milan, Italy that Walsh discovered the bronze sculpture that is now featured at Soul Gallery. “I fell in love with original art in the ‘90s. I met with marvelous local artists such as Bruce Head, Winston Leathers, Keith Wood, Katharine Bruce, and Tim Schouten, and began placing some of their work in my design projects and award winning showhomes.” This passion for original art has evolved into the creation of Soul Gallery Inc., which opened its doors in April 2011. Two “satellite galleries” of Soul Gallery are located at 74 Brookstone and 8 Stan Bailie Drive in Winnipeg. These showhomes, built by Hallmark Homes, are filled with original art for sale, and are open to the public for viewing. Call (204) 254-4604 for hours of operation. Soul Gallery at 163 Clare Avenue is open the first Saturday of every month 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and by appointment Monday to Friday; call (204) 781-8259. In addition, there are several scheduled exhibitions during the year listed on the Event’s page of the website. Walsh will hold her next Exhibition and Sale at 8 Stan Bailie Drive on October 23, 2014 from 5 – 9 p.m. Come view the marvelous works of these artists represented by Soul Gallery. You will not be disappointed! For more information go to www.soulgallery.ca
40 | STYLE MANITOBA | AUTUMN 2014