When I opened cre8ery in 2006, I imagined an arts centre where patrons could browse our galleries, take in artist demos and see where artists work each day.

The concept was to launch weekly and bi-weekly exhibitions, have artist studio spaces open to the public, and host workshops in our a classroom studio providing jobs for artists. Artists could sell out of their studio and benefit through a shared marketing support system established by cre8ery.

The concept is popular: we have 70 artists on a waiting list to exhibit in our gallery and another 28 wanting one of our studios.

However, more galleries and studios are needed in the Exchange District and we need more Winnipeggers buying local art to keep our galleries open.

Finding patrons to purchase local art has always been our biggest challenge.

At the cre8ery, we see mostly lookers, as few can afford the luxury of an artwork purchase or recognize the value of art beyond it matching their couch.

Because of this, I can’t afford to pay hired staff, despite needing them to effectively run my business to the extent I feel is crucial.

I’m fortunate to have various volunteers, an intern from the University of Winnipeg and a lot of community support. Volunteers are trained and usually move on to a paying job elsewhere. This can be costly, but every day I appreciate them and recognize that I can no longer continue to run cre8ery without assistance.

How do we fix this?

Galleries need to work together to make sales – we are a tightly knit community and some galleries even refer patrons to other galleries. But a show that doesn’t sell is harmful to an artist’s career, not just the gallery.

Sadly, too many people purchase art from across the border or overseas. It would be great if there were a tax break for people who buy local to encourage and support our community of artists. 

Over the past five years, heat, water, garbage disposal and rent have increased steadily. As the years continue, cre8ery will become even less affordable as our building’s owner is increasing our rent with our new lease, after making significant improvements to his building.

This hardship may eventually cause cre8ery to move. To absorb the impact of the increase, we are hosting our first fundraiser, Strength By Numbers, on April 15. 

Still, I have witnessed many positive changes in the Exchange District since opening my first gallery here in 2002. The area is cleaner, safer and more people are visiting with the help of an increase of funky vintage shops, restaurants and organizations like First Fridays and the In Plain View studio tours.

And though I’ve had less time to build my career as a visual artist because I’ve poured so much into cre8ery, I have benefited in other ways. I’ve started to build a career as an art consultant and a guest speaker.

Without the challenges I’ve faced with cre8ery, I would not be where I am today.

Jordan Miller is the director of cre8ery at 125 Adelaide St. Visit www. cre8ery.com.

Published in Volume 65, Number 25 of The Uniter (March 31, 2011)