RVP File Photo

The Dirty Bert's Bike Run, a motorcycle rally for wounded war veterans, made a stop at Irricana's Grasshopper Gallery last year. The facility is once again on the group's itinerary for Aug. 25.

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Irricana's Grasshopper Gallery offers variety of classes, programs

The Grasshopper Art Gallery in Irricana is hopping.

“It’s not just artwork hanging on the walls,” said Brenda Campbell, president of the Irricana artists’ club. “The gallery is diversifying.”

Campbell said the gallery now appeals to a wider range of people.

One addition to the gallery is tea time, which occurs weekly from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

“You can have a really nice tea and there’s fancy sandwiches and pastries. It’s really classy,” Campbell said.

There have also been monthly music nights featuring local talent, as well as second-hand consignment products, courses and events.

“You don't have to come in and buy artwork, you can come in and buy tea or you can come in and buy pants for your kid,” she said. “The gallery keeps changing.”

While Campbell said she is happy with how the gallery has been running, two aspects, including turnout at the farmers’ market and artist participation, need work.

The farmers’ market has had minimal turnout and artist participation in the gallery has been low, said Campbell, adding she suspects the gallery’s small advertising budget has made an impact.

Campbell said without artist participation, the gallery’s hour of operation are limited.

She is encouraging artists, who choose between paying a rental fee and 25 per cent commission for having their art displayed or paying the commission as well as volunteering time to work in the gallery, to come forward.

“We try to accommodate,” she said. “The nice thing is we leave it up to you. You tell us when you can be there. We’re definitely looking for help.”

Campbell said she works with artists to display their work.

“We try to put in as much of their stuff as we possibly can,” she said, adding it is a rewarding experience for artists to have a chance to sell their work.

The gallery is hosting the Dirty Bert’s Bike Run, a motorbike rally for wounded war veterans, on Aug. 25. For the second year running, Grasshopper Gallery will be on the group’s itinerary.

“We’re hosting them as a stopping station,” said Campbell.

“They came last year and they got such a good reception, they said they were thrilled to come back.”

The gallery is also hosting a number of classes, including drum making, to take place Sept. 22 and 29, this fall.

Other possible courses include glass fusion and studying crystals.

For more information, visit www.grasshoppergallery.ca