Selkirk Community Arts Centre

250 Manitoba Ave

The Selkirk Community Arts Centre, formerly referred to as Art Cart, was established in 1977. After restoring the historic Post Office, the Centre endured severe financial struggles. Through community effort, town support, and strong and determined leadership, the Centre persevered. Today, the Selkirk Community Arts Centre and Gwen Fox Gallery thrive as a vibrant space for creativity and artistic expression.

“We Began Because We Needed To”

The Selkirk Community Arts Centre Incorporated, or colloquially known as Art Cart, began in 1977 with the objective

“to further and share our cultural heritages thereby assisting in the development of a Canadian identity.

Lenore Clouston, Wayne Arthur, Gwen Fox, Percy Hailstone, and a few others formed an executive committee to plan and direct the success of the Community Arts Centre. The committee met for the first time on April 6 at the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. Additional members could join for a $5 membership fee. In 1982, Art Cart created a calendar for Selkirk’s Centennial year. The calendar featured artists from Selkirk and proceeds were used to fundraise for the Centennial celebrations.

With a dream and a plan in motion, all that was left was to find a location for the Selkirk Community Arts Centre to put down roots. The iconic Old Post Office building at 250 Manitoba Avenue had been deemed unfit for human habitation after a long and varied history of use. By 1984, the building had deteriorated to the point that it was destined for demolition. Art Cart raised an impressive $450,000 from a variety of donations, fundraising activities such as Paint-a-tons, grants, and all levels of government. With this money Art Cart obtained the building and settled into a large renovation project to breathe new life into the old building. The funds raised were enough to pay for the construction of a new building, but the dream of utilizing the Old Post Office was unshakeable.

Preserving a Historical Landmark

The long road of renovating, refurbishing, and repairing the neglected and vandalized building began in 1984. In 1990, the second-floor wiring was replaced, washrooms added, and walls and flooring installed. The original tile flooring and woodwork around the main entrance and second floor hallways and doors were preserved. On the exterior, only windows were necessary to replace.

Also in 1990, Joen Hadfield applied for heritage status for the building. She knew the process of obtaining this status and felt strongly that it would assist the Community Arts Centre in securing more grant opportunities. At first, the board was opposed to the idea because it meant a potential for restrictions while renovating. Joen sent in the application despite their opposition, and the building was granted historic status a few months later.

A New Era

In 1991, Culture, Heritage and Recreation Minister, Bonnie Mitchellson, opened the newly renovated building. Original plans detailed studio space on the second floor for dance, music, and performing arts, however, renting out the space as offices and a board room was more economical. Tenants such as Shropshire House Counselling and Educational Services, Kenmare Healthcare Associates, and Intel Health and Safety Supplies and Nutrition Plus moved in shortly afterwards. Plans for a restaurant in the basement were underway, reliant on the go ahead from Town Council. After plans were approved, Bonita’s Dial-A-Deli moved in.

Another revenue stream came from the House of Economy thrift store next door. Management and staffing were shared between five nonprofit organizations, Art Cart, Gordon Howard Senior Centre, the Selkirk Friendship Centre, the Rotarians, and the Handibus. Each nonprofit staffed the store with volunteers for one week out of the month. Proceeds from sales that week would go towards each organization.

In the Trenches

In 1995, the board changed and unknowingly took over an immense debt from previous boards. Records from 1990 to 1993 were unclear as the paper trail was nearly non-existent. The board discovered taxes had gone unpaid since 1992, only one mortgage payment was made to the mortgage holder since 1984, and there was no documentation of the loan granted by founding member Lenore Clouston. Even tenant rent hadn’t been collected.

By the end of 1996, the Arts Centre was more than $200,000 in debt. Bills included $40,000 in unpaid taxes, a $110,000 mortgage payment, and a $35,000 personal loan owed to the Clouston family. The original $450,000 investment by the founding members, volunteers, and patrons was on the brink of loss, as was the building.

Believing in the Arts Centre

Astonished at the immensity of the debt, the board approached Town Council for assistance. In 1996, Town Council assisted the Community Arts Centre, provided they could present evidence that they had resolved the mortgage debt, and had a plan that ensured all future taxes and liabilities could be paid. Through sheer grit and determination, the board paid back the loan provided by Lenore Clouston and were able to manage current bills and taxes. The board presented Council with a three-year plan, indicating that they would be able to pay their taxes. However, if the accumulated $54,000 in taxes could not be paid by May 1998, the building was scheduled to go for tax sale in September.

“You’ve got to put it to the members of the board who got down in the trenches and dug it out,” Ted Bodwitch, Community Arts Centre President.

During the financially grim years Councillor Dawn MacFarlane advocated strongly for the Arts Centre, expressing,

“I think we’re getting a tremendous bargain. The town’s Arts Centre beats out even the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s attendance on a daily basis. It’s a very important aspect to the community.”

With help from the Town and the incredible hard work, creativity, and personal donations, the Community Arts Centre stayed afloat. The days of near extinction, crumbling plaster, and financial strain are now simply memories of the past.

In 2005, the gallery was named after founding member and leading light, Gwen Fox.

The Selkirk Community Arts Centre continues to be a place where artists can gather, exhibit, and sell their work. The Gallery holds many exhibitions year-round which attracts tourists, residents, and upcoming artists. The Selkirk Community Arts Centre has fulfilled its mission of sharing cultural heritage and facilitating a space for self expression and community.