As a way to showcase her culture through art, Daisynae said she is humbled to have their works showcased in a community like Cochrane. “To even have this whole display, I didn’t even think that this could happen,” she said. “This is kind of a cool and important moment in history, because Cochrane doesn’t really have the best relationship with Morley or the Reserve in the past, so it’s like reconciliation. “Hopefully this inspires other Stoney Nakoda artists to bring their art forward to Cochrane, Calgary, or anywhere else.”

From ‘Coffee with Warren” article

“Art feeds the soul for our artists as much as, or more, as it does for the viewer,” says member artist Ele Davis. “Being able to retreat to the studio in these lonely COVID- isolating times is really a retreat, indeed. It is a place that creates infinite space through its possibilities. Then the gallery allows us a venue to share our joyful expressions with the community and each other.”

‘Feeling downhearted lately and in need of something to lift your spirits? How about dropping by Cochrane’s recently opened Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery?That’s exactly what I’ve done, and I’ve not been disappointed. Indeed, the experience has illustrated the healing wisdom of Dostoevsky’s words, “The world will be saved by beauty.” And yes, I came away with a heart at peace after visiting Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery.’

Others:

“It’s amazing when we all come together to give our strengths on top of being an artist what people can contribute. It’s unbelievable,” Ele Davis said. “It warms your heart and makes you feel like you’re a part of the community.”

“It has brought together this wide variety of people that are all creative people but everyone had kind of been doing their own thing,” said Route 22 Collective Gallery director Lara Kruger. “It gives us a platform for us to collaborate.”

‘We know that artists also bring cohesion and strength to our cultural identity and contribute to our economic diversity and social wellness,” Kruger said. “Working together and collaborating across local, municipal and regional levels has allowed us to strengthen our support base to have greater impact and to benefit our community as a whole.”

“The creative economy has been identified, by Calgary Arts Development, as the fastest growing economy in the world, with Calgary’s alone contributing 2.1 billion to Canada’s GDP,” Kruger said.

Minister for PrairiesCan, Dan Vandal, said entrepreneurs in creative industries contribute to the cultural fabric of communities across the Prairies, adding that this funding will help further that idea for Route 22.

“Today’s investment will enable Route 22 Artist Collective to engage local artists in southern Alberta, including women and Indigenous creators, and ensure they benefit from business development resources, exposure to potential customers, training, and mentorship to keep growing as entrepreneurs,” Vandal said.

MP for Calgary Skyview, George Chahal, said the arts and culture sector is an important economic driver for Alberta. He is proud to see the government bolstering its capacity to create sustainable jobs and economic growth.

“This investment in Route 22 Artist Collective will help highlight the amazing talent of Cochrane and area artists while enabling them to reach their full potential as entrepreneurs and business owners,” Chahal said