ANTIGONISH, N.S. — A red sky: it’s captivating, fleeting, and holds the mystery of both promise and danger.
Nearly everyone has appreciated a beautiful red sky at some point in their life, gazing up in reverence and appreciation. This is exactly what Rosemary Curry had in mind as she named her art gallery in Antigonish.
Over the years, Curry studied anthropology, music, and metalsmithing, travelling around the country before returning to Antigonish eight years ago. She was working for her family’s company when the opportunity to open a business of her own arose. Jeff and Beth Parker, longtime owners of Lyghtesome Gallery, had decided to close their space, and Curry jumped at the opportunity to fill the void in the small town.
“When I was younger, I loved visiting Lyghtesome and finding things that were alternative, interesting, and original,” says Curry. “It was a place I could count on to find a gift that would be just that little bit more special. When the Parkers retired at the end of 2017, I felt it in my gut, I had to do this.”
After meeting with the Parkers to get a sense of what running a gallery entailed, Curry jumped into the deep end, challenging herself to have the gallery ready to open the following summer. This month, Curry officially passed her one-year anniversary as a business owner and says things are continuing to blossom at the Red Sky Gallery.
“Anyone who has survived their first year of business will agree that it isn’t easy. It’s a lot of work and it’s a labour of love to run a small business in a small town,” says Curry.
“But it has been going so well and the response I’ve received from members of the community has been so encouraging.”
With her first year now under her belt, Curry is ready to start evolving and honing in on her strengths as a gallery owner.
The Red Sky Gallery carries original artworks including paintings and sculptures, as well as a variety of prints by local artists. Curry is proud to display local work, and says one of her goals for the coming year is to continue to foster relationships with existing artists while also featuring new talent in the gallery.
Curry has recently branched into events, hosting musicians, authors, and other performers in the multi-functional space.
“The gallery has proven to be a lovely little venue,” says Curry. “These opportunities to collaborate are golden to me, and I love the idea of the gallery being diverse and representing all forms of art.”
Curry says locals and visitors alike can expect growth from the Red Sky Gallery in the coming year, and she’s excited to invite the community into the space.
With a new website set to launch in the coming months, Curry says her focus will be on visibility and welcoming visitors from all over the country to see what Antigonish and the Red Sky Gallery have to offer.
Story by Jill Ellsworth
