Waterfront gallery in Port Alberni to close doors after Christmas
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The Grove Art Gallery will be closing its doors permanently at the end of December.
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley announced late last week it will undergo a “strategic evolution” to better serve the changing needs of the community and the arts sector. The council has undergone a series of public round tables and surveys to gauge interest in the arts within the community.
“After careful consideration, the Alberni Arts Council board of directors has made the decision to terminate its’ gallery (The Grove) lease with the City of Port Alberni, and suspend the gallery,” the board announced. The gallery will remain open through the Christmas season.
“Our community is growing, and the arts council must grow with and meet the Alberni Valley’s diverse needs,” said James Street, acting board president.
The Grove Gallery has been in operation at the Harbour Quay since 2022; the arts council previously operated the Rollin Arts Centre on Eighth Avenue at Argyle Street for more than five decades. The closing of the Grove Gallery means that there will no longer be a single, dedicated arts gallery space in the Alberni Valley, and the arts council will work to support and develop other exhibiting spaces.
The Alberni Arts Council recognizes that for some community members, a gallery in the Alberni Valley may be essential. “We encourage those that believe so, to join the arts council as a member and join efforts to work towards advocating for more subsidized arts spaces with our local municipalities,” the board said.
The Alberni Arts Council will partner with the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce as part of the council’s commitment to evolve from a traditional model focused mostly on visual arts into a more modern, community impact model that ensures all arts are represented and supported. “This innovative partnership will provide the Alberni Arts Council with a stable foundation and allow much needed capacity to create new partnerships with local businesses and community leaders, creating powerful synergies between the arts and the economic vitality of the region,” the council noted in its release.
The partners are also developing options to showcase local art in new ways, such as a locally handmade artisanal gift shop at the visitor centre. Artists who are members of the arts council will be contacted directly to take part.
“By suspending gallery operations and the demands of the Harbour Quay facility, we are freeing up vital financial and HR resources and capacity,” said Street. “We will continue to focus on strategic planning, community engagement and use the feedback to update our core mission: facilitating, collaborating, and launching a more diverse scope of arts and culture initiatives throughout Port Alberni.
This transition was not made lightly, informed by months of engagement and development, he added.
“We see incredible potential in this partnership,” stated James. “Arts and culture are a critical component to economic development and community appeal. The arts council recognizes that this change is potentially disruptive to some. The board of directors and arts council staff are committed to minimizing negative impacts and maximizing opportunities as we navigate this change.”
“We look forward to working with the Arts Council to support their new model and help integrate cultural programming more deeply into the business fabric of the Valley,” said Jolleen Dick, chamber CEO.
The transition will allow the arts council to prioritize program and service growth, meeting community needs without being restrained to the ongoing costs, maintenance, or operational constraints of one building.
The arts council will focus on a decentralized model, bringing programs and services “to where people are,” and make more efficient use of community spaces such as parks and other venues.
The online survey is still open for public feedback, at alberniarts.com/survey.