Canadian Art Gallery Doubles Up As A Unique Furniture Shop!

Art Galleries usually exhibit paintings and sculptures. However the Robert Lowdon Gallery from Winnipeg is changing that notion with a unique feature of its - Selling furniture.

According to Metro, Two young artist entrepreneurs, Robert Lowdon and Ryan Henderson are transforming the conventional idea of an art gallery in City Place Mall in Winnipeg's downtown. Lowdon, a fine art photographer and Henderson who recycles retrieved wood into furniture masterpieces joined hands to start their retail partnership.

Originally the venture was supported by a CentreVenture funding program which allots unused downtown spaces to young entrepreneurial talent to make good use of it. The CentreVenture had originally allotted them a space on Graham Avenue on the expiration of which the duo were offered this new space at the City Place Mall.

"The fit is a little bit better (it's nearly three-times as large) there's more foot traffic, and it's still downtown." Said Lowdon, admitting the City Place mall might look like an odd place for setting up their kind of business but now that their work has been recognized and people are actually flowing in everyday it has been a good move. The business has been booming ever since the gallery opened on the 2^nd January.

Surprisingly the artist-entrepreneur duo is getting almost the same number coming in their stores in a day that they used to get in a week at their Graham Road venue. The positive response has also encouraged other artists to display their craft to the buyers already visiting the gallery. Noticing the amount of talent around, the entrepreneur duo are mentoring the local artists.

For City Place's leasing director Cheryl Roney, a notable tenant like these two with their unique business idea is a major boost for the Mall and Roney is looking to provide some more space to a few deserving artists. The gallery being "connected to skywalk" is another attraction that pulls the downtown working people for a visit.

According to Global News, Earlier in an event organised in the month of December, the artist-entrepreneur duo got a very good response for their unusual work at the Graham Avenue known as the Living Edge Gallery. That exposure helped Lowdon and Henderson find new connoisseurs for their artwork.

The unlikely combination of the artist and the woodcrafter seems to have worked. The gallery already has regular admirers, all the duo needs is to turn a few of them into buyers. With their unique concept and exquisite offerings, the gallery is sure to be a success on word of mouth alone.

TagsArts, Art Gallery, Furniture, Canada, City Place Mall