Visual Space Gallery:
A New Arrival on Dunbar Street Story by Sarah Gordon
Photos by Sandra Steier and submitted
It is always exciting to see new businesses open in Dunbar Village. It indicates business owners, like residents, appreciate the area and want to be a part of, and invest in, this vibrant community. The north end of Dunbar is experiencing changes, and the arrival of Visual Space Gallery in December 2014 is part of this evolution. Professional photographers Peter Eastwood, Noriko Nasu-Tidball and Yukiko Onley are the joint owners of Visual Space Gallery. Their goal was to open a gallery to exhibit photography, painting and sculpture, which are available to purchase. Previously Eastwood and Onley had teamed up and run a gallery in the Olympic Village neighbourhood; however, they had to seek a new space when their lease expired. One day last fall Eastwood happened to be driving along Dunbar Street and spotted a for lease sign, situated beside their new neighbours, 4Cats. He thought it was the perfect location for art installations with its high ceiling, deep floor plan and west-facing storefront. He 16
alerted Onley and their new business partner, Nasu-Tidall, about his find. The partners have found neighbouring merchants and residents to be extremely receptive and welcoming. This owneroperated gallery gives clients an opportunity to talk directly to Eastwood, Nasu-Tidball and Onley.
Their intention is to break down the stereotype of intimidating and stuffy galleries and make this a very approachable and welcoming place for people to visit. In addition to the main gallery, Eastwood has cleverly taken a page from some independent London galleries, which use every inch of square footage. With this in mind, he has www.DunbarLife.com | April 15 - June 15, 2015
