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Over the past couple of years we have seen the development of Railspur Alley into the newest home for island artists and craftspersons. At one end of the alley, you will find painter Michael den Hertog's Studio & Gallery and at the other, i.e. creative artwork's collaborative design studio, which combines the talents of an artist, designer and a scientist! In between, there are a number of other studios and storefronts including the work of furniture-maker Fritz Muntean and sculptor Peter Kiss. And of course, right next door is the creative hubbub of Opus Framing & Art Supplies. If you haven't visited us recently, you will notice that there have been a number of positive changes. We are happy to introduce to you our new Store Manager, Chandra Rankin, who has been with Opus for several years and brings to her new role years of experience in the service industry. We also have a new Assistant Manager, Sarah Ronald, who has been with Opus for two years and brings lots of experience to her new role in both customer service and community volunteering. Sarah is also an artist who works in drawing and window painting. You may have seen her colourful windows over Christmas. Throughout this past year we have been working diligently with our staff on retail skills training and development. Eleanor Nickerson, who has worked with Opus for a number of years, has been working with staff in this particular area.
You may also have noticed that we added brightly painted walls to greet you as you enter the store. After all, we are a source of colour and inspiration! Oh, and the entrance to Granville Island, has seen some great traffic improvements. It is now much easier and efficient to get on and off the island, with two lanes heading each way! |
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Our Granville Island store has developed a unique relationship over the years with the students, staff and faculty at Emily Carr Institute. Many of our own staff have been students at ECI at one time or another, and some have even gone on to work and teach at the Institute. Opus values the knowledge and hands-on experience that artists and students have to share and we pride ourselves on hiring practicing artists in our stores. Established in 1925 as the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts, ECI has had several different incarnations over the years. In 1995 it became a degree-granting institution, and in 2000, it celebrated its 75th Anniversary! In addition to its diploma and degree programs, ECI has a comprehensive continuing education program, which offers part-time and short-term classes throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for beginner artists and professionals alike. Students can build on their existing creative skills, work in a new medium, or develop their portfolios. When Opus first moved to Granville Island we manufactured and sold exhibition frames to local artists, galleries and museums. Situated across from ECI, we supplemented the offerings of their own art supply store, until space became a problem at ECI a few years later. Since then, we have been working closely with the Institute to ensure that students' needs are met. Today, we continue to maintain this partnership with ECI by assisting students with their supplies and frames throughout the year and also, by contributing to the success of each year's graduation exhibition. We have also worked closely with the Emily Carr Alumni Society in recent years, to help them increase their membership and to host special events for Emily Carr Alumni. Opus' partnership with ECI has been long and rewarding. We have each seen the other grow to meet the needs of Vancouver's vibrant visual art communities.
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Arts Umbrella is located behind our Granville Island store on Cartwright Street, next to the False Creek Community Centre. They have five dance and theatre studios, five visual arts studios, a photography lab and a media arts lab. We are the proud neighbours of this lively and creative arts organization, which values accessible art education for all children. As a non-profit organization, Arts Umbrella must fundraise and rely on the support of the community to help it carry out its programming. Seventy-five percent of their students are funded through bursaries, scholarships and outreach programs, and tuition fees currently cover only 42% of the cost of the programs they offer. Their Granville Island facility hosts over 260 classes each week and their overall programming reaches 30,000 young people and growing, annually!
Our specific interest is in their vibrant Visual Arts Programming, taught by experienced artists and art educators with expertise in a range of media. Students of all ages and levels get hands-on experiences in well-equipped studios. They are exposed to many aspects of visual art from practical to theoretical and historical studies, to even pre-professional programs for talented teens. Arts Umbrella is a great organization for young people to learn more about the arts and to nurture their creative skills. If you know a young person who you think would blossom from the opportunity to work in an inspiring, reflective and supportive environment of their peers, visit www.artsumbrella.com to find out more about their programming, or call 604-681-5268 x 221. If you are on the Island visiting Opus, you can also visit them at 1286 Cartwright Street. For those who would like to offer support to Arts Umbrella's programming there are a number of sponsorship opportunities available, for details, give them a call. |
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BC Wood Co-op
Gallery of BC Ceramics
Dundarave Print Workshop
Malaspina Printmakers
I.E. Creative Artwork
New Leaf Editions
Peter Kiss Gallery
Michael den Hertog |
Federation Gallery
Island Studio
Jane McDougall Pottery
Circle Craft Co-op
charles H. Scott Gallery
New-Small & Sterling Glass Studio
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The Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and professional development of artists. Their head office and gallery are located at 1241 Cartwright Street on Granville Island, just east of our Granville Island store. The Federation Gallery mounts approximately 20 exhibitions annually featuring their members work in juried, curated and group shows. They also conduct workshops and classes which are taught by qualified FCA member artists. These classes are open to all artists. The schedule of classes and workshops is available at the Gallery.
Most recently, we partnered with the FCA for the inaugural Painting on the Edge, an international, open, juried exhibition. This event was a great success and brought together artists from across Canada and around the world. The prospectus for Painting on the Edge 2004 is available online at www.artists.ca, at the gallery, or any Opus location. Painting on the Edge is open to all artists. Last year's exhibition offered $6,000 in prizes including three Opus Awards. The Federation and Opus hope that all artists whose work meets the eligibility criteria will take up the challenge of Painting on the Edge 2004. This is a great opportunity to present your work to the world. www.artists.caAs with any not-for-profit organization, part of the FCA's strength comes from its membership. There are different membership types and many benefits of belonging, including a year's subscription to Art Avenue. www.artists.caIf you are interested in further details on the FCA, or in a membership or subscription to Art Avenue stop by the Gallery, call them at 604-681-8534 or visit www.artists.ca |
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The staff at Opus Granville Island were honoured to have received this year's Georgia Straight Award for 'Best Art Supply Store' (not to mention the kudos to our newsletter!). As a result, they recently got together and developed their own "best of" in celebration of Opus' best kept secrets and other fitting examples of just why we appreciate that title. Best fine art product: flex wax, photomount, golden high solid gel. Best of framing: fast turn-around, economy, 'do-it-yourself services.' Best deal in the store: bulk pricing on opus frames & paper products, free information. Best celebrity sighting: arnold swartzenegger. Best part of your day: meeting other artists, seeing customers be inspired by new ideas. Best gift you would love to receive: matcutter, ott lite, mt. seymour easel, opus gift certificate. |
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Opus Customer Service: 1-800-663-6953
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Terms of Use | Privacy Statement
© Copyright 2000-2003, Opus Framing Ltd. |
Originally from Alberta, Chandra has an arts background in mixed media and filmmaking. We hope you will say hello to her the next time you drop by for a visit.
Our Granville Island store has the largest number of on-staff artists who have a wide range of skills and experiences to share with you, from framing expertise, to drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, photography, craft, encaustic painting and even golf! If you are looking for a bit of technical advice or product specific information, just ask, and our staff will do their best to help you. We are always looking to build on our existing product knowledge and what better community to do so than on Granville Island. We'd also like to hear from you if you have a technical tip to share. Feel free to tell one of our staff members or send us an email at 
Over the years, Opus has supported Arts Umbrella's fundraising efforts through our Donations Program. We continue to support Arts Umbrella on an ongoing basis by providing product assistance for their day-to-day art supply and art education needs.
Over the years, Opus has supported the FCA's fundraising efforts as their objectives as an organization are of great benefit to visual artists. Established in 1941, their primary purpose is to unite artists and persons interested in art. They have an international membership.
