Local artists’ creations are popping up in a retail storefront at Visac for the first time.
The Trail gallery has unveiled Below the Bailey Boutique, a shop that specializes in selling homegrown talent.
“It’s like a pop-up shop – a new retail phenomenon that takes on small individual artists that can’t afford to pay for a long-term lease,” explained Laurie Merlo, Visac executive director.
“Artists swoop into a space, gaining attention for a brief amount of time and then they swoop out again.”
In the gallery, located in the basement of Selkirk College in Trail, handcrafted giftware is now for sale behind a glass display.
Fine glass pendants crafted by Shawn Melenka shine next to Nick Denisoff’s hand-rooted wooden spoons, which are nearby hand-forged iron by Howard Roo.
“The boutique carries artisan giftware and framed artwork built to last,” said Merlo, who hopes to get innovative knits on display soon.
“The design is focused on form as well as function, is socially conscious and always cost competitive.”
Sticking with the pop-up theme, the display speaks to the season as well as current fashion trends.
“We’ve talked about opening a giftware shop for a long time and I thought to myself, what’s stopping us?”
Below the Bailey Boutique is open during Visac’s regular hours Tuesday through Friday from noon until 4 p.m.
New artisans interested in putting their work in the retail window are asked to contact Merlo at 364-1181 or via email at director@visacgallery.com