CARFAC SASK Newsletter, September 2008

The Stall Gallery opens in Farmers’ Market

By Jim Graham


Bevin Bradley and Roberta Ross recently opened The Stall Gallery in Saskatoon and the gallery is off to a goodstart. About 200 people visit their space on most Saturdays.

The gallery is part of business development in the new Farmers’ Market, where a large number of people who are interested in art drop in, having stocked up onlocally-grown broccoli and organic bread.

The drawback is few people visit during the rest of the week. However, Bradley and Ross have plans to promote the art. Bradley said they will be approaching businesses about the benefits of artwork in the work place, both in terms of value for employees and customers. They will be selling or loaning work to businesses and placing art in homes up for sale. The idea is to expose the art to as many people as possible.

There is a new show every month and openings are on the second Friday of the month.

Why open a gallery now? Bradley said one of the reasons is the current economic boom in Saskatchewan, which means more people are interested in spending money on art. She also said that through her involvement in SCYAP (The Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming) she knew many talented artists who are not involved in a commercial gallery.

Both Bradley and Ross are involved in SCYAP. Bradley has been employed as the ArtDirector at SCYAP since 2002 and has co-ordinated numerous public art projects,including her most recent project, a huge mural facing the walkway under the Circle Drive Bridge. Ross, who has a BA and Bed, teaches high school in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School System and has worked with other local non-profit organizations.

The area around the Farmers’ Market is part of a much larger development of River Landing which includes large areas east and west of the Sid Buckwold freeway bridge.

Many of the businesses in the market are part of a business incubator project, Saskatoon Ideas Inc., which helps businesses through their first years by providing advice and mentoring. It is a non-profit organization developed by Saskatoon’s business community.



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