233 Armstrong's addition to Hintonburg's Arts Quad

Ingrid Hollander and Matthew Jeffery didn’t know the Cube Gallery was moving from Hamilton Avenue when they rented a 3,000-square-foot space around the corner and called it the Orange Gallery. This may turn out to be good news or bad; it doesn’t matter to them because they’ve been waiting a long time to open their own contemporary art gallery.

Both are artists (metal, canvas) and will use half the space for their own studio, but the rest of the building at 233 Armstrong Street across from Parkdale Market should include the work of eight other artists when it opens April 8. And Jeffrey,39, and Hollander, 36, will add another listing to Ottawa’s most talked-about arts district.

The risk of arts entrepreneurialism doesn’t seem to bother the pair at all, considering almost next door the Parkdale Gallery wasn’t able to survive. But after 25 years selling and servicing alarm systems, Jeffery is happy to have the chance to take his creativity fulltime, although he’ll keep a foot in the old business.  “We know it’s a good area. All we had to do was listen.” Hollander was an interior designer for the past seven years and sees possibilities under the 12-foot ceilings. “I think this space will work however it goes. The interest (from other artists) we’ve got so far is strong.”

The gallery is still looking for artists who want to display. Hollander and Jeffrey can be contacted through their Website at http://www.orangeartgallery.ca or at 613 231-2768 and 613 913-5104.