Our Story
In 1998 a collective of passionate and eccentric Cortes Island artists, led by Norberto Rodriguez de la Vega, took it upon themselves to turn the historic and long-unused Whaletown School into an artist-run gallery. The early years were invigorating, productive, chaotic at times and brought the island art community together in a summer-long revolving exhibition of their work.
Twenty-five plus years down the road, the summer exhibition season takes place in a professional-level gallery space with both accomplished and emerging artists exhibiting their work.
The Gallery acquired legal non-profit status in 2021 with the registered name of Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery Society. In 2022, a paid gallery manager came on, in a part-time seasonal position, and classes began in a pilot project for art education.
The current Board of Directors is comprised of Kristen Scholfield-Sweet, Janet Turpin, Meinsje Vlaming, Ayami Stryck and Christann Kennedy.
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The Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery Society
Mission
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To exhibit the art of Cortes Island artists.
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To provide a physical and/or virtual space for shared enthusiasm about art.
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To facilitate the learning, understanding and appreciation of the Arts.
Values
The Board of Directors will operate with these values:
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Forward-looking vision and innovation, within a knowledge and appreciation of Gallery history and continuity.
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Collective rather than individual decisions.
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Providing and maintaining a safe venue and virtual space for those engaged in art practice and art education.
