The new executive director of the VISAC Art Gallery in Trail says the job “brings together everything” she cares about.
Sonja Rosenberg, an artist herself, started in her new position on Feb. 17.
“There’s lots to catch up on, a lot of things to move forward with, but the support and the welcoming environment at VISAC is just so lovely,” she said. “I feel really embraced and excited for our future together.”
Originally from Winnipeg, she went to art school in Nova Scotia, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a major in jewelry and metalsmithing.
She says she was inspired by her aunt, who is also goldsmith.
“Seeing her work and creativity was really inspiring. I held off for many years because I didn’t want to tread on her toes, but the jewelry department in that school was just calling to me,” Rosenberg said. “So I dove in and and I haven’t regretted haven’t regretted it for a moment.”
Rosenberg says recently she has been experimenting, moving from sculptural jewellery into large-scale sculptural installations.
She says she and her family were searching for a strong sense of community and creative energy, which led to the Kootenays. In 2022, they moved to Castlegar in 2022, where she serves as the vice-chair of the arts council. She says Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk “was a pretty big draw.”
Rosenberg says while she had visited the VISAC gallery, she had not shown any of her work there. She says it struck her as a “gathering place,” more than a gallery, which made her eager to apply for the position.
“It’s has a strong sense of community and a place where community and creativity meet. It’s a special little gem within the community.
“I think the position at VISAC really brings together everything that I care about, which is creative practice, community connections, and advocating for artists. So it was just a match made in heaven.”
The gallery is currently hosting an exhibition called Gold Rush, which features the work of eight artists who hiked into the West Kootenay alpine. It’s on until March 19. Rosenberg promised glass fusing workshops and “some fantastic workshops” to come.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNowNews Alerts.
