How mini galleries are helping artists get their work noticed in Moncton

Moncton artist Alan Spinney doesn't usually paint on a five-by-five inch canvas, but he and his wife have started doing that for a new mini-art gallery.

The mini-art gallery is a rectangular, metal tower with glass shelves that displays small paintings, ceramics, glass works, ornaments and mixed-media for people to purchase.

Spinney said it was challenging painting on a small surface, but there was a perk.

"I didn't have to step back five or six feet to look at the painting," he said.

The galleries help promote local artists and are set up at five businesses in downtown Moncton, N.B.

"I think it's really valuable to have this, these small mini galleries around downtown in kind of unexpected places," said Spinney.

He said this gives him and his wife an opportunity to display their art for sale at locations they otherwise wouldn't be able to, such as a café or hotel lobby.

"And it puts us in a group setting with other talented artists," he said.

When someone approaches a mini-gallery, they scan a QR code to purchase the art. They can choose to have it delivered or picked up at Bright and Brine Fine Art Gallery. Its owner, Kathryn Basham, is the brain behind the project.

"There's very limited amounts of gallery space within the city and so being able to offer these little pop-ups … offers more of that space for artists to have their work on display," she said.

Basham said the galleries were installed in late November. She said the money from each sale goes to the individual artist.

Helen Spinney said the mini paintings can be used for corporate gifts, for small apartments or decorating a wall with multiple pieces of tiny art.

The couple is focused on an upcoming exhibition and do not have additional mini-art in the works yet.

"We're excited to hear responses about people who have seen these small galleries and go from there," said Alain Spinney.

"We're always painting," said Helen Spinney. "It's just something we love to do."