The Sunshine Coast is awash with creativity and talent. We’ve got musicians, artists, and writers coming out of the woodwork. Yet for creative types, it can be lonely here, lonely for both those whose careers are in full swing and those who are learning and taking their first steps in a new creative direction. The things we love about our setting—the uncrowded coastline, the forests, the space—also mean isolation: studios at the end of long wooded driveways, limited behind-the-scenes conviviality, very little late-night café and drinks culture, and long distances between communities. The Kube aims to help.
Jill Pilon and Jody Youngren come from the buzz of the city. Jill is an artist herself and was on the board of the Eastside Culture Crawl. Her involvement in that popular Vancouver event exposed her to numerous examples of how the right vibe and proximity can energize artists. She now occupies one of the eleven studios The Kube hosts. Jody has worked in graphic and media design for decades and co-owned a design studio in Gastown. Together, Jill and Jody recognized the need for a space that would foster creative synergy and focus on contemporary art.
Jody says, “Jill felt that having proper working artist studios would be a huge asset to our community here on the Coast. Having a focused creative space for an artist/maker not only helps develop and hone your own skills but also allows for the artists to feed off of each other’s creative energy.”
The Kube has studios, gallery, marketing reach and assistance (online and off), and what they call “thoughtfully curated retail” in upper Gibsons, near to condos, cafés, and pubs. Studio rental ranges from $160–260 per month and includes 24-hour access, security, and shared washroom and kitchenette. The Kube schedules a new art opening on the first Friday of each month. They even do birthday parties. The artistic community has responded with enthusiasm. There is currently a waiting list for studio space.
Katie Sweeting, co-founder of Barter Design, describes her experience showing at The Kube. “They foster a community within their walls because of local artists they bring in, workshops, and events. A strong creative energy—not your typical retail environment. Feels more like a sacred gallery space/living room.”
Words | Nancy Pincombe Photography | CBRPhotography.ca
