The Smithers Art Gallery received a letter last month from the town stating that that their lease would not be renewed because the town needed the space for 8 offices for town staff.
The small, one storey building at 3866 Railway Avenue in Smithers, BC is a town-owned building that has been animated by the Smithers Art Gallery since 2017. When the Art Gallery leased the building from the municipality, they needed it as a space to hold art classes and day camps. They received such a warm response from the community who were appreciative to have more art classes as well as programming for kids, which Nicole Chernish, the Director of Smithers Art Gallery told CICK News was much needed.
“When you look [at childcare] in 2017, we didn’t have any programming after school for children, or weekends, or any other time. And now, this year, we have 13 after school programs, weekend programs, 14 summer camps, and 2 spring break camps.”
CICK News talks to the Gallery Director and the Mayor about the decision.
