The "Show Your Interest" issue

As reported in previous News & Updates issues, the LAS Board has been grappling with the viability of continuing to operate the gallery, faced with a dearth of volunteers for most key tasks. Some of you indicated you want the gallery to continue, but the key question - who will run it - was not answered in the emails we received. Those who previously gave countless hours to gallery planning and operation in 2019 are unable and/or unwilling to continue doing that work in 2020 or 2021 with so little support.

Things were not looking good for the future of the gallery.

But a handful of Directors and committee leaders have asked for a few months to try to figure out why members have not offered to operate the gallery, and to explore what changes might bring in the support necessary to make it operational in the future. They aim to have their plan formed by August 31, and will submit monthly progress reports to the Board in the interim.
To study what works and what doesn't, they propose a limited opening this summer.

Here is their message to the LAS membership:
"On May 27^th a core group of enthusiastic people met via Zoom to discuss a way to keep our vibrant and successful Lunenburg Art Gallery operational during this trying time of Covid 19. Past volunteers have dedicated enormous effort to bring the gallery to its present enviable state and we believe there are enough artists and art appreciators out there who would hate to see the demise of such a vital operation. We feel we owe it to those who have gone before us to pick up the torch and forge ahead.
"That being said, our tentative plan is to mount a members-only show for July and August. Members work will fill the entire gallery. We would open the gallery to the public following all the Covid 19 protocols for four days a week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 each day. For this we would need volunteers to man the gallery during those times.

"So this is our plea to you all. The future of our gallery is on the line. If you wish to maintain a venue for showing your work in a premier gallery space in Lunenburg in the future, now is the time to come forward and offer your working support."

You can do so by contacting either:
Marilyn Congdon at black_duck@eastlink.ca 902-521-1414, Or
Jeff Gibson at thepinkjaguar1956@gmail.com 902-990-0277