Stepping into the role of gallery director for the Pembina Hills Arts Council feels much like coming full circle for Jennifer Smirl.
It was the Morden gallery and then director Pamela Smith who first helped her get started as an artist, Smirl noted last week as she prepared to take over from departing director Liza Isakov.
“I started out not to far from here … and I had Pam help me with getting work into the gallery here. This was the first place I had work for sale, and she sold stuff. I was ecstatic about that,” she recalled.
That led to her getting into the central region juried art show and then to art school in Winnipeg. Now, she comes to the gallery director role as an experienced artist with over 20 years in exhibiting and selling art.
She also brings experience related to programing, grants, fundraising, and community involvement, so that makes the job an ideal fit for her.
“The gallery here has always been a beacon … growing up, it’s also been the next step into getting into the city as an artist,” Smirl said. “Being able to get that experience that you get in a gallery of this size, to get to the next level, was instrumental in me getting comfortable with the arts on a professional level.
“When I saw this position come up … a flag went up … this is coming full circle.”
Smirl noted she has benefitted from being mentored herself and has been able to serve as a mentor as well, so she looks forward to bringing that experience back here to help others.
“I know what it’s like trying to get your work out there, coming from a smaller place, and it can be very daunting … so I want to be able to help those people,” she said. “I feel like have the experience to be able to pull those people together and create a cohesive artistic community, which is what I’m looking for myself.”
Smirl prioritizes being organized, and she sees the gallery already being well organized thanks to Isakov’s efforts.
“It feels like this place, coming out of the pandemic, everything is starting to click, and it feels like we can do some really amazing things,” she suggested. “It feels like we’re going to really take off again, and I really like that feeling. I’m really wanting to be part of it.”
Isakov has mixed feelings about leaving the job as she and her fiancee relocate to Winnipeg.
“It’s kind of bittersweet … it is sad to leave a place like this because we have done so much beautiful work and had such beautiful exhibitions, workshops, programming, outreach and community events. It’s been quite a rollercoaster … I’ve enjoyed my time here greatly.”
She sees Smirl as being well positioned to take on the challenges of being the gallery director.
“It’s exciting. It’s a lot of exploring, a lot of networking that has to be done. It leads to a lot of interesting conversations, and bringing people together is kind of the underlying foundation of the organization here,” said Isakov. “The focus is bringing people to the art world, bringing them into a sense of community and feeling togetherness.”
“Having Liza here with me has helped me feel a little more confident,” said Smirl. “Some of our ideas have been exactly the same … she’s already got the ball rolling, and I’m catching up.”
Smirl now looks to keep the momentum going and move forward as she works to build the relationships in the community.
“I’m just so happy to be here, and thanks to the community for having such a great place here … it’s fantastic, what is already here, and I can’t wait to do more things and have fun with it.
“Come in and give us your ideas, let us know if there’s things that you want.”
