Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery Announces New Board of Directors and Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary with Grand Opening Event |
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MONDAY | MAY 26 | 2025 - COCHRANE, ALBERTA - Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery is proud to announce the appointment of its new Board of Directors as the Gallery marks an exciting milestone—five years of fostering creativity, community, and connection through the arts in Cochrane and surrounding area. To celebrate this achievement, the Gallery invites the public to its Grand Opening and 5-Year Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The event will feature live music, artist meet-and-greets, refreshments, and a special unveiling of new exhibitions that highlight the talent and diversity of the local arts community. During this time of celebration, there will be exciting announcements to share with respect to building the next steps towards boosting the creative economy in Cochrane. New Board of Directors Route 22 is thrilled to introduce its new leadership team, a dedicated group of volunteers and creatives who will guide the gallery into its next chapter: - President – Jo-Anne Oucharek
- Vice President –Jonathon Tonietto
- Treasurer –Marike Macdonald
- Secretary – Vivian Oxenham
- Fundraising - Denise Smith
- Directors-at-Large – Susan Lindsay
"This board brings a dynamic mix of experience, vision, and passion for the arts," said Lara Kruger, Executive Director. “We are thrilled to welcome our new President Jo-Anne Oucharek, who has recently retired as former Executive Director of Cochrane Tourism. Jo-Anne’s extensive experience and connections within the Tourism sector bring even greater strength and potential for strategic partnerships and growth to our organization. We recognize that the Arts and Culture sector and the Tourism sector are intrinsically connected and symbiotically contribute to greater economic diversification and resilience. Together, we are committed to building on the strong foundation created by our founders and volunteers over the past five years." |
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"It’s an honour to lead such a dynamic and visionary collective. I’m passionate about creating space where artists grow—not only in their craft but in their confidence as entrepreneurs." — Jo-Anne Oucharek | PRESIDENT |
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Five Years of Impact Since its inception in June 2020, Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery has become an instrumental part of Cochrane’s cultural fabric. As a non-profit, volunteer-run gallery, it has provided a platform for emerging and established artists, hosted community programming, and partnered with schools, mental health advocates, the Indigenous community and Tourism organizations. The Gallery would not be in this place of their journey without the considerable support and initial funding by the Town of Cochrane and the Totem Foundation which has allowed the Gallery to leverage that funding towards a major 3 year funding agreement with the Federal Government (under Prairies’ Canada Community Economic Development and Diversification program). They have also seen recent support from the province (Alberta Foundation for the Arts), Rocky View County and numerous local supporters. Route 22 is excited to soon announce a major partnership with a local community foundation to build even greater impact and growth in the local creative economy long into the future. Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery has had a major positive impact on the community with over 1.12 million in revenues generated and given back entirely into the local economy through their operations since 2020. The Collective has supported over 100 local artists and connected over 20,000 people with local arts and culture over the past 5 years. Route 22 also initiated and continues to lead the ‘Come Paint Alberta’ Festival circuit which, since 2021, has grown into a network of 9 partner arts organizations across southern Alberta, further connecting and building the regional arts community... and this is just the beginning! |
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We invite members of the media, community, supporters, and art lovers to come out, celebrate with us and see what’s next for Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery and the future of arts and culture in Cochrane. |
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For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact: Lara Kruger | Executive Director |
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About Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery is a non-profit, volunteer-run gallery dedicated to supporting local artists and enriching the Cochrane community through art. The gallery showcases a diverse range of visual art, offers workshops, and builds meaningful connections through creative expression. |
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VISIT Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery |
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208 1st STREET W.
COCHRANE, AB T4C 2E7, CANADA |
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How did you get on our media destination list!? We mapped a treasure hunt! If we have reached an incorrect mailbox, we apologize and we simply request that you let us know who this should go to instead. Thank you - we appreciate any and all opportunities to engage and work with our local media. |
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