In April, 1990 a group of seven artists teamed up to open a co-operative gallery to showcase artistic works by local painters.  Setting up shop in a 140 year old heritage house known as the Hanratty- Reynolds house on Scott Road in Old Chelsea, they hung their own paintings and works of other artists and hoped to make a go of it.

Now, twenty years later, it has proved to be the   “little gallery that could…” and the format of co-operative ownership has continued on, successfully showcasing and  selling art from their heritage location .nestled in  the scenic tourist village on the fringe of the Gatineau Park.  Although none of the original seven are part of the group you’ll find sitting at the gallery today, some of them still hang their works on the walls. Today’s group of seven still set out with the same intent- that of promoting and encouraging local artists from the Outaouais region.. 

The co-operative format has continued to be successful and the little business  has survived and thrived.

The setting is charming and the old house exudes comfort and a relaxed atmosphere for browsing. On a cold day in January visitors are greeted with a hot apple cider. The walls are filled with a cornucopia of artworks in different media.  Every surface is adorned with a beautiful landscape or a fanciful portrait…  In fact, the gallery is so full of artwork, tall visitors might bump their heads on a painting if they don’t duck on their way down the narrow stairs. The gallery uses it‘s front show room to mount a special exhibition  featuring a different artist every  3 weeks.                                                                              

The  seven associate members pay the gallery expenses out of their own pockets affording them prime display space for their own works. Today’s team includes Leslie Anderson Dorofi,  Josée Prud’homme,  Aline Joanis, Robert Murrell, Maria Mask , Lina Yachnin and Marianne Feaver.   These artists also select works from some 40 local artists which are sold on consignment.  The members are assisted in their gallery sitting duties by some very faithful volunteers.

The theme small is beautiful is certainly applicable here. Local visitors and tourists from afar continue to come to enjoy the friendly atmosphere and maybe, find the perfect piece for their mantel or  that unique wedding gift.