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New Gallery in Miramichi What do you do when you’re a creative dreamer who never sleeps? If
you’re Esther Nye, you follow those dreams right into reality. Recently, Esther opened Deux Maples Art Gallery in Miramichi.
Being a bilingual province, it’s fitting for the gallery to have
a French and English name. Maples are among Esther’s favourite trees and also a very patriotic symbol of Canada. The
gallery also faces onto the Queen Elizabeth Park where there are several maples. So the name, Deux Maples, is appropriate
on many levels.
"My hope for the customers and community is to enjoy, experience and become
aware of the talent here on the beautiful mighty Miramichi," Esther says. "My hopes for all the artists are to open a door
for them, encourage them and support their gift." Esther has been thinking about opening a gallery on the river for awhile,
but the business venture came about a little sooner than she planned. "My friends are creative persons but we lacked an outlet to showplace their
work," she says. "It was the right time now." Esther is a chef who also dabbles in painting and writing. She hopes the
gallery will encourage and support younger artists’ work.
"Several more experienced artists have responded in support of this venue,
agreeing with me that younger artists need encouragement and guidance to follow their personal hopes, dreams and passion." She says younger artists love her energy because she encourages them and
is honest with anyone who brings their work into her gallery. "Honesty is a quality most artists appreciate," Esther says. "It’s
one thing to receive encouragement from close family and friends, but artists really need encouragement and support from more
than just their family."
She likes to explore the reasons why the artists created the artwork and
whether they met their intentions. As anyone who knows Esther will attest, she doesn’t shy away from sharing her opinion.
Sometimes artists will look at their work and decide her suggestions have merit and sometimes artists say the work turned
out exactly as was intended — either way is fine because most important is maintaining the dialogue. "The ideas and energy explored in the conversation lead to new and greater
understanding of the work," she says. "It’s been very positive. The artists are feeling very encouraged and excited.
Everyone has been so encouraging."
The gallery features artists born here or who have adopted New Brunswick as their home. Esther encourages all mediums including various types of craftsmanship, abstract work, carvings, acrylics, photographs and much more. The selection differs week to week. The variety of mediums and messages may best be summed up by the favourite quote/ definition the gallery has adopted: What is Art? "Like Beauty, Truth and Life itself; is larger than a single definition."
Artists of all ages may showcase their work. The youngest currently on
display is only five years old. Visitors are often able to observe works in progress as some artists work
at the back of the gallery. Artists currently on display include Robert SquareBriggs, Colleen Knowles,
Vera Mann, Marilyn Bourque, Robert Stephens, Nelson Cloud, Shirley Estey, Brenda Nutter, Richard Knowles, Tracey Jardine,
Sam Tucker, Bob LaPlante, Lorraine Lyons, Louis Melanson, B. Brown and Erika Galley. All artwork is for sale.
Between now and June Esther expects to have shown the work of over 50 different
artists. A couple of private exhibits are also in the works. The gallery will also host a monthly Poetry Night on the first Tuesday
of every month. Open to all ages, the next Poetry Night will be held March 2nd beginning at 7:30 PM. Herbal teas
and coffee will be served. "I want it to be a positive experience," Esther says. "We have a
great location, on the beautiful Downtown Square. Come in, browse and enjoy."
The gallery is located at 114 Ellen Street overlooking Queen Elizabeth
Park. Open Wednesday 10 am through 4 PM, Thursday and Friday 10 am until 8 PM, or by appointment. If you have a small
group who would like to have a private viewing just call and Esther will be glad to accommodate as best she can. For more information telephone 506.622.6580 Email deuxmaples@yahoo.com or visit the gallery online at www.deuxmaples.com Kellie Underhill |
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