Gallery Focus: Galleria Inglewood

When Galleria first opened its doors to the Calgary populace in 1978, no one could have predicted that the small business featuring the artwork and craftsmanship of a few select Canadians would become the largest independently owned retail arts and crafts store in Canada just over 30 years later. With its brand new, 9,000-square-foot location in Inglewood, the gallery has increased its Canadian artisan base by more than 75 artists, now representing the handcrafted work of more than 450 individuals.

“Over the years, it became apparent that there were many hundreds of talented and dedicated Canadian artists, potters and handcrafters working in their various areas of discipline,” says gallery owner Susan Copley. “Other than local craft fairs, there were not many venues for them to show and sell their work in.”

Since first opening its doors, Copley says the mission of Galleria has been to feature and promote Canadian, handmade products, regardless of the creator’s artistic background or accreditations.

“Professional accreditation or previous experience is definitely not important for us to represent an artisan’s work in the store,” she says. “The prerequisites that are important are originality, quality and marketability. After 30 years in business, we have a very good idea about what our customers expect to see when they come in to Galleria.”

One artist at the gallery whom customers have seen since early on in the company’s career is potter Marilyn Settles. Settles, who discovered pottery in her second year at Alberta College of Art when her brother built her a pottery kick wheel for Christmas, never thought her relaxing hobby would transform into a career.

“My focus in college was advertising and commercial art. I took a pottery class for fun and for some stress relief,” says Settles. “It was not long before I found that I could lose myself in the rhythm of the pottery wheel and the shaping of the clay. As a single mother, it allowed me to stay at home with my children and make a living at something I really liked to do.”

Just a year after Galleria opened in 1978, Settles met Copley.

“In 1979, I took a few pieces of my work into the store, along with my folio. I liked the store, they liked my work and so our history began. There was no contract, only a brief chat and a handshake,” she adds.

Since that day, Settles’ work has been a staple at the gallery. Four of her glazes, including the graphic fish pattern, the prairie wheat pattern, the trees pattern and her newest design, the stoneware blue pattern, are featured in the store, and have been extremely popular with Copley’s clientele.

“Galleria is the name on the door, but my relationship is one of friendship, trust and loyalty,” says Settles. “Susan’s ongoing faith in her artisans and their craft has sustained many up-and-coming artists over the years. Her being revolves around promoting Canadian arts and crafts in a viable venue.”

Settles is also responsible for designing the  new logo for Copley — a dragonfly, which Copley says symbolizes the new changes the gallery has undergone with its move to the Inglewood location.

“In almost all parts of the world, the dragonfly symbolizes change, looking forward and new beginnings,” she says. “It could not have been any more appropriate.”

Now settled into their new venue, Copley says that Galleria Inglewood will continue to offer customers one-of-a-kind, Canadian products that are both unique and affordable.

“Galleria has been in business for more than 30 years. We owe this to the loyalty of our artisans and more importantly, the loyalty of our customers, many of whom have been shopping at Galleria for all those 30 years,” she says. “Here, they know they will find the best Canadian-made products available and the customer service that they receive is impeccable. We will and do go the extra distance for our customers. That is what sets us apart from most other retail businesses.”
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Photo Courtesy: Galleria Inglewood