Canada House opened its doors in 1974 and, 40 years later, the secret to the gallery’s success is simple: offer unique Canadian art and build strong relationships.
Peter and Marika McCaffrey opened the gallery doors on May 20, 1974. They wanted to offer something other than souvenirs of Banff made overseas.
The McCaffreys instead chose to offer original Canadian art that spoke of the distinctiveness of the Rocky Mountains and of Canada.
They passed the reins to their daughter Barbara Pelham and her husband, Eric, in 2000 and Pelham said Sunday (May 25) she stays true to her parents’ vision by maintaining their mandates.
“The big point that we have maintained in carrying the torch forward to this new generation is the integrity of the work that it is produced by Canadian artists. That is non-negotiable. That is the pillar and we’re happy to work within that, because really there is no limitation within that at all,” said Pelham.
“Some of the artists we are still representing we represented 40 years ago, so many of the artists that you see when you come into Canada House are some of the artists that you’ve seen before or are hoping to see; that has continued.”
These artists include the likes of Neil Patterson, a ceramics artist turned master painter, and Don Tony, whose bronze sculptures channel the West: cowboys, horses and wildlife.
Canada House today represents over 50 Canadian painters and 18 Canadian sculptors.
That doesn’t include Inuit artists from the Baffin Island community of Cape Dorset, whose work also graces the gallery. The McCaffreys acquired a large collection of Inuit art in the 1970s and when Canada House opened, they put this collection at the forefront.
Inuit art remains an integral part of the gallery’s focus, with annual print sales and a large collection of sculptures.
Along with maintaining Inuit art and a continuum of artists, Pelham adds new artists, represented by the likes of mixed-media artist Steven Nederveen, whose work is a combination of paint and photography with a high-gloss resin finish, which she described as spectacular.
“His work is breathtaking,” she said. “They are dreamy, they are mountainous; they are forests; are inspired by this area.
An exhibition featuring Nederveen’s work opens at the gallery on June 7.
“They’re quite poetic. They’re truly beautiful. To stand in front of them, the wood grain comes through. The warmth of the paint, the photography, there’s such harmony in the work.”
Pelham said she has also added Bow Valley painters Janice Tanton and Wendy Bradley to the gallery’s roster.
“As much as we are looking to nationally-recognized artists (such as Nederveen), we’re also looking at beautiful, refreshing talent from the Bow Valley, again sticking to my parent’s visions of Canadian, but bringing it forward with new talent and it is exciting. It is a very exciting time,” she said.
Canada House has a long list of exhibitions that will continue throughout the year as part of its 40th anniversary. Following Nederveen, the annual Demo Day will be held Aug. 9; Neil Patterson, Sept. 27; Les Thomas, Oct. 18, Richard Cole, author of The Girl Who Writes, book signing, Oct. 25 and Joy – Our 40th Celebration, Nov. 22.
Pelham also strives to build and maintain relationships, just as her parents did, with artists, clients, staff and the community at large. In short, it’s a way of treating artists and clients as family, not just partners in business and ensuring everyone feels welcome.
As part of that, Pelham has updated the entrance, installing new doors that feature steel door handles designed by gallery artist Paul Reimer and modeled after the distinctive Canada House bird.
“The entrance is warm and beautiful,” Pelham said, “and that reflects better what people are about to experience when they walk in through the doors, it really is meant to welcome. That has been the mandate from day one, to welcome people.”
There’s no dress code at Canada House, no false airs, and kids and dogs – even bikes – are in fact welcome, as well.
“We welcome everyone, we want people to have that warmhearted, sincere feel, you’re all welcome and please enjoy,” she said. In the next 40 years, Pelham said she has no plans to change an approach that works so well.
“We’ll carry on exactly how we’re doing it. I don’t see any reason to change what we do. Keep going. Keep doing what we love to do, building friends of the gallery, with our staff,” she said. “As we hit this milestone, we are doing what we do well. There’s always this balance of evolving and changing and maintaining your identity.”
And while success for Canada House has come by sticking to its mandates, Pelham said a supportive cliental, community and staff has also been critical in allowing the gallery to reach 40 years.
“I’d love to express my gratitude to everyone in the Bow Valley for their ongoing support. Whether that means coming and acquiring a piece, thank you. If it means bringing your family here or your friends here when they are visiting, thank you. If it means you are serving tables and you refer people to us, I thank you. It’s on so many levels.”
Go to www.canadahouse.com for more information.
