Station Street Gallery & Frame Shop is so much more than an art gallery.
Of course the gallery hosts lots of work from local artists — including incredibly carved pieces made by Ray Scudder, pottery by Jane Wolters and beautiful soft pastels by Bev Herriott — on consignment, but it also contains interesting and unique historical artifacts and furniture from all around the world.
They include an extremely well preserved Roman legionary helmet dating to the first or second century, 17th century cathedral doors from Europe that have been completely refurbished, an 18th Century ornamental sideboard that has been in some Warner Bros. movies, and a magnificent 19th Century stained glass from the estate of Lord Stanley of Preston, who created the Stanley Cup.
Mill Bay’s Linda Roseneck is the new owner of the gallery.
Roseneck, who spent much of her career in interior design and architectural work, was an employee at the gallery for two years before she bought it three months ago as a retirement present to herself.
“I get to do what I love to do,” Roseneck said.
“There’s a private collector in the community that has about 9,000 pieces from all over the world and I’ve been purchasing some pieces from him, and others are in the gallery on consignment. But I intend to travel the world and collect pieces myself as we go.”
Roseneck began major renovations at the gallery three months ago, shortly after she bought it, that have just recently been completed.
They include all new flooring and a new front entrance.
The new front entrance, which also includes the entrance of the gallery’s next door neighbour, Lise Brown Natural Beauty Store, is comprised of high cathedral doors that are centuries old and was completed with a $10,000 grant from the Downtown Duncan BIA’s facade grant program.
There will be a grand opening at the gallery on Oct. 13-14 which will include artist exhibits with the artists themselves present to talk about their work.
“The gallery serves mostly a specialty market, but more people are moving here who are building larger homes and looking for pieces like we have, and there are more collectors coming here too,” Roseneck said.
“Of course there’s framing here as well. That’s what really pays the bills.”
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Four Duncan-based businesses are among the 49 finalists in the 2023 Torch Awards, hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island.
Every year, the BBB serving Vancouver Island honours local businesses that go above and beyond in their commitment and dedication to trust and ethics in the marketplace.
The four finalists from Duncan this year are 360 Comfort Systems Inc., Gideon Plumbing and Drain Services, High Definition Roofing Ltd., and Vandine Construction Inc.
“Once again we are excited to announce our annual Torch Award finalists,” said Rosalind Scott, president & CEO of BBB serving Vancouver Island.
“This year 81 businesses were nominated by their customers. The 49 companies have been selected as finalists by an independent panel of volunteer judges, and winners will be announced across 14 different categories at our awards gala on Nov. 3 at the Union Club of B.C.”
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The Downtown Duncan BIA is doing its part to support Duncan’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Walk, scheduled to take place on Oct. 2.
In a collective effort to foster a stronger bond between the community and that special day, the DDBIA is undertaking several initiatives, including providing a $1,000 sponsorship cheque to Makola Housing Society, the organizing body behind the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Walk.
The DDBIA will also be offering a complimentary three-week digital billboard advertisement to promote the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events, and dedicated a prominent section of “Your Local” in the Cowichan Valley Citizen, emphasizing the importance of the day and highlighting the events planned for Oct. 2, and will raise awareness through email newsletters, handouts, and social media.
“Please march with us on Oct. 2 in a life-affirming action that recognizes and takes steps to repair the intergenerational harms done to Indigenous people,” says Katherine Devine, executive director at the DDBIA.
“The goal is to prevent future abuse of Indigenous communities.”
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Paper Excellence Canada, which owns the Crofton mill, has donated $50,000 to STARS Air Ambulance.
This contribution reflects Paper Excellence’s commitment to the well-being and safety of those living in the communities where the company operates.
STARS Air Ambulance, a vital organization in Western Canada, plays a crucial role in providing emergency medical services to those in need.
Their fleet of helicopters and dedicated medical teams are on standby 24/7, ready to respond to life-threatening situations across the province.
Last year, STARS carried out more than 3,300 missions from six bases in Western Canada, providing critical and life-saving care for patients.
“At Paper Excellence Canada, we recognize the critical role that STARS Air Ambulance plays in saving lives in our communities, especially in Saskatchewan and in the Kootenay region of British Columbia,” said Dale Richardson at Paper Excellence Canada.
“We are honoured to support the STARS mission and help ensure that urgent and professional medical assistance is available to those facing emergencies.”
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The Nourish Cowichan Society has been awarded $15,000 from the Canada Post Community Foundation that will go towards a project to expand the society’s kitchen that offers free meals to food-insecure children.
Approximately $1.2 million in grants from the CPCF has been awarded this year to 84 organizations across the country.
These grants, raised and distributed within each province and territory, support these organizations’ efforts to improve the lives of Canadian children and youth.
The CPCF is a registered charity that operates at arm’s length from Canada Post.
“We are proud of the fact that every dollar raised goes straight to communities in need,” a news release from CPCF said.
“Anyone looking to donate to the CPCF can purchase a booklet of stamps at a local post office, or visit canadapost.ca/community.