Those who enjoy the visual arts will be happy to learn the Allen Sapp Gallery will reopen this week. (submitted photo/Leah Garven)

By Martin Martinson

Art Gallery reopening

Allen Sapp Gallery to reopen Monday

Jul 11, 2020 | 1:00 PM

The Allen Sapp Gallery in North Battleford will reopen its doors on Monday.

The reopening comes over three months after the gallery initially closed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leah Garven, curator and manager of galleries with the City of North Battleford, said they are very much looking forward to inviting the public back in and reconnecting with the community.

“We’re very excited to be back at work,” she said. “It’s been an insecure last three months, wondering what was happening around the world and with our own lives and our job, so we’re happy to be back at work.”

But just because the doors have been closed to the public, doesn’t mean the gallery staff has not been keeping occupied behind the scenes.

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Garven said they have been busy over the last while, preparing the gallery to reopen under the new guidelines. As is the case with many businesses, increased precautions had to be implemented here or there, to help ensure the health and safety of staff and visitors.

Of course, with many currently required social standards already in place within an art gallery, Garven said the adjustment has, for the most part, come pretty naturally.

“I think galleries and museums have been social distancing for a long time already,” she said with a laugh. “The nature of the gallery or museum is that you do stand two to three metres apart to view the art properly. It’s also already a no-touch environment, and the conservation of the art requires a lot of guidelines to be followed, so it’s been very easy for us to adapt to it, overall.”

She said perhaps the biggest adjustment though will be the screening process put in place for the time being, which will require people to disclose if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are showing COVID-like symptoms.

Directional arrows have already been put up and the overall capacity will be limited in accordance with provincial guidelines. Because of this, those planning on attending with a small group or tour are asked to call ahead so their visit can be accommodated.

Garven said the gallery has already received a number of phone calls and inquiries, in lead up to the reopening date, with many eager to return to the establishment. She said she’s grateful for all the community support throughout the last number of months.

While the Allen Sapp Gallery will return to operations Monday, the Chapel Gallery is not expected to reopen until some time in 2021, as the city aims to ease back into reopening.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1