In a bid to celebrate the vibrant artistic talent of the city, a local lawyer has joined forces with Airdrie Public Library’s Voice and Vision artistic collective to transform his office into a captivating space that showcases local artwork.
To promote and support Airdrie-area artists, GPK Law provides artists with a platform to display their creations, connecting the artwork with potential buyers and amplifying their presence through social media.
Lawyer and partner Shawn Kraft, has taken the initiative of converting his office into a miniature art gallery, hosting an ever-changing collection of original works by talented Airdrie artists.
“It’s been an absolute joy quite honestly to have this art in our office,” Kraft said. “I’ve always enjoyed original art and to see one-of-a-kind pieces from local artists bring smiles to all of us.”
Every two months, the gallery will introduce new artwork, infusing the space with fresh inspiration.
To mark the unveiling of each new exhibition, the law firm hosts exclusive "opening" events, inviting clients to immerse themselves in the creative atmosphere.
Voice and Vision began in 2016 through the Airdrie Public Library. This unique program encourages collaboration, where writers and artists create pieces inspired by each other's work, using words and paintbrushes as their tools of expression.
Deborah Lawton, an Airdrie artist who has been involved with Voice and Vision from its inception, recognizes the invaluable support that GPK Law provides to artists. She emphasizes that this collaboration allows artists to showcase their work and gain exposure, filling a void that often exists for artists who struggle to find suitable platforms.
Lawton, who is also a client of GPK Law, identified the opportunity to display artwork in the office and was met with immediate enthusiasm from all the lawyers, who were eager to support the artistic community.
“I’ve been very aware that we don’t have opportunity or spaces to share our work and I know Shawn, he is my lawyer, they’ve been expanding, so I said, ‘Hey you might need some art on your walls,” Lawton said. “I’m so happy and honoured that they gave us this opportunity to share with their clients.”
According to Kraft, the response from clients visiting GPK Law has been overwhelmingly positive. The presence of vibrant and thought-provoking artwork has not only enhanced the ambiance of the office, but has also allowed clients to engage directly with the art and even purchase the occasional piece.
And by sharing the artwork on their social media, the law firm is amplifying the reach of the artists, opening doors to new audiences.
“It’s really important that we share this as much as possible to support the local artists. I have posted it on our Facebook page and will share it on our YouTube channel,” said Kraft.
Voice and Vision will host a gala at the Airdrie Public Library on Sept. 23, featuring a new book for sale with __ entries.
“Part of doing this is for people to be aware that there are a lot of very talented artists and writers,” Lawton said.
