The paint has all but dried for one Nanaimo Art Gallery location.
After nearly four decades of operation, the Nanaimo Art Gallery will close the doors at its campus location at Vancouver Island University later this month.
Julie Bevan, executive director for the Nanaimo Art Gallery, said the closure is emotional.
“It is quite exciting, but bittersweet,” Bevan said.
The campus location closure had been discussed for years and is part of the gallery’s strategy to centralize staff and resources on the downtown location.
“Having all of our staff under one roof, we can concentrate on building an excellent exhibition and education program downtown,” Bevan said.
The campus location first opened in September of 1977 as the Madrona Exposition Centre and will officially close on May 15.
Following the departure of the gallery, the location will see new life as VIU’s art and design department will eventually take over the space.
According to Bevan, the relocation will not result in any job losses for the gallery. She said there is great pride in the gallery’s relationship with the university, which it plans on maintaining.
“Our connection with VIU is important,” Bevan said. “It has been a long history.”
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