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<\/a>In accordance with health orders, masks are required when not eating or drinking, there\u2019s an 18-person capacity, and hand sanitizer is provided upon entry. The gallery doors open at 9 am, and coffee is available until 3 pm, when the space stops doubling as overflow seating for Bean Around the World. Gallery staff are on the premises from 1 pm until 5 pm. It\u2019s an interesting system, which, Trembath says, is working well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would normally be having Christmas parties and weddings, and it feels sort of empty without people in here, so it feels really great to have people come in and appreciate the space,\u201d she says.
\nTrembath says that it’s important to be in person with a piece of art; she feels that original art needs to be experienced right in front of the viewer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI only show local artists because there\u2019s so many on the island,\u201d she says. \u201cI think it\u2019s a valuable service, especially during these times because I think people need to escape and see beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s so much art to be seen online, but Trembath firmly believes in the power of a personal experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve watched people chemically change when they\u2019ve been in front of a beautiful piece of art,\u201d she says. \u201cLike, their body changes, their energy changes. That might sound a little \u2018woowoo,’ but I think it\u2019s really important to be right there in front of the piece of work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Annual Winter Show has been going for 13 years (as long as the gallery has been open). Trembath hopes that people who come to view the pieces and experience the space receive \u201cpeace and beauty and inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo many people are coming in right now and thanking me because they get inspiration,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s a gift. It\u2019s so great to be able to give that to people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The local artists featured in this year\u2019s exhibit are described by Trembath first and foremost as \u201cnice and kind and generous.\u201d In a world that often leaves us feeling shaky, it\u2019s great to know that kindness and generosity are still valued and championed. And regardless of all that\u2019s transpired this year, Trembath is keeping her head up:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m an eternal optimist, so I believe that we will get through this on a positive note, ‘this’ being COVID and climate change and racial inequality\u2014the list is long, but I feel that we will get through it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
There is certainly a feeling of hope and warmth present in the gallery, now appropriately filled with tables and chairs along with beautiful art. Trembath says that she is very stubborn and will continue to be open as long as it\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook after yourself, take care of whatever makes you happy, go gently, don\u2019t expect too much from yourself,\u201d she says. \u201cIf you are creating and you\u2019re not in a place where you feel like you want to create, it will come back, as we all will.\u201d<\/p>\n