The Georgian Bay school of the arts

The Georgian Bay School for the Arts (GB Arts) was founded in 2019 as a Not-for-Profit, Incorporated business.

The creators of GB Arts enjoyed successful careers in the arts and crafts communities and recognized the need for studios and fine arts instruction in the area. The old Bingo Hall on main street in Owen Sound was a building with character and vintage charm. With a vision in mind, it was deemed the perfect location and size to create a space for multiple studios and art disciplines.

But this vision did not come without challenges. The building was an empty, crumbling box in need of a lot of love, hard work, and restoration. Utilizing friends, family, and sweat equity, the work began.  Donations came in from community and private donors. Shelving, furniture and sundry items were donated from decommissioned schools and community centres. Like a phoenix, the 6500sf space rose from the crumbling ashes and opened its doors mere months before the global pandemic in March of 2020. Despite the trials and tribulations the world was facing, we once again, employed hard work, creativity and determination driving GB Arts into a cultural hub serving Grey Bruce and beyond. 

Our primary focus is learning and education in the fine arts, indigenous arts, fine craft and heritage crafts. The 6500sf open space has fully equipped studios in jewellery, pottery, printmaking, and stained glass with a swing space to host less equipment-centric classes like painting, book binding, sketching, whittling, beading etc. Our Fibre Loft was created in the upper mezzanine space for textile based arts like sewing, needle felting, crocheting, knitting, rug hooking, embroidering and the like. We offer single day or multi day classes for adults, children and community groups. Memberships are available with various levels of privileges such as class/supply discounts and open studio time for newly educated and professional artists.

We engage local instructors to provide an opportunity to impart their knowledge, while being paid a fair wage equivalent to their professional skills. We are focused on bringing an expanded art and fine craft experience to our rural area, something often only available in larger cities and communities.

As an added revenue stream for GB Arts, we have integrated The Goods café into the space. This social enterprise offers coffee, light fair and pastry treats as well as a welcoming entry point for the school . In addition to this, there is a window galley showcasing the talents of our in-house artists and instructors.

Today, GB Arts continues to grow and flourish. With help from Community Foundation Grey Bruce, RTO7, Bruce Grey Simcoe and the Ontario and Federal Government, we continue to improve our bricks and mortar and digital presence. We look forward to adding residency spots, studio spaces and enhanced children and youth programming to our current repertoire.

Stop in anytime and say hello to our Founder and General Manager, Alan McIntosh. He’d be glad to show you around!