Yukon's newest art gallery opens in Carcross - Action News
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Yukon's newest art gallery opens in Carcross

Art House Carcross - a 'visual arts portal' to the community - is the newest addition to the busy Carcross Commons.

Art House Carcross offers locals a space to show, and sell, their work

'Icarus Descending', a collaborative piece by the Southern Lakes Artists Collective, is one of the works on display at Art House Carcross. (Yukon Arts Centre)

Lawrie Crawford of Yukon's Southern Lakes Artists Collective had been eyeing a certain empty space in the Carcross Commons for a few years, thinking it would be the "perfect place to hang art."

It just happenedto be right near the public washroomswhich, it turns out, is a bonus.

The Carcross Commons is a collection of small shops catering to tourists. 'Its really become this vibrant place and it is so cool to have a space where the art can be there,' said artist Lawrie Crawford. (David Common/CBC)

"We get the people that are unsuspecting art gallery-goers," Crawford said.

"For them to think that they're just going to the washroom, and then to get snagged by pieces of art, it's absolutely amazing!"

Art House Carcross, Yukon's newest gallery,celebrated its officialgrand opening this week,though itactually opened to visitorsa few weeks ago.

Sofar, it's been a big hit averaging close to 200 visitors each day.

"Most people are just absolutely wowed," Crawford said,"and complimentary, and curious."

A piece by Barb Hinton, on display at the gallery. (Yukon Arts Centre)

A 'visual arts portal'

The gallery is a partnership between the artists' collective, the Yukon Arts Centre and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. The Yukon government provided financial support.

"The whole idea is that this,in a sense, is looking at the economicsmaking a'visual arts portal'so our visitors have a chance to connect with Yukon visual artists," said Mary Bradshaw of the Yukon Arts Centre.

In other words, it's a place for tourists to see and buy some original Yukonart.

The gallery is also staffed by the artists themselves, Bradshaw says.

"So they know the area,they can talk about Carcross itself, and as well, really be able to dive in and talk about the art that's on display there."

Art House Carcross is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., all summer.

The new gallery is a place 'to explore and see that crazy, amazing diversity we have within our art,' said Mary Bradshaw of the Yukon Arts Centre. (Art House Carcross)

With files from Dave White