It is with mixed emotions to report that Two Wolves Trading Co. is closing its doors in September. As many of you know, this is the place where my work is currently sold in Canmore, but it has meant a lot more to me than that.
As owners for the past eight years, Andrea and Michelle have worked very hard to create a unique store and gallery that sold more than just the ‘wooden mountie’ fare you find in most tourist stores out here. It has been an oasis of unique items, products, and artwork and I’ve been proud to have been a small part of it. While I enjoyed seeing my work on the walls, the best part about Two Wolves was getting to know the staff and owners over the past two and half years. Rarely a week goes by that I don’t stop in two or three times, just to say Hi and kid around with whomever happens to be working. I’m really going to miss that as they are all wonderful people who have always made me feel like I belonged there. I will also miss sharing the art side of things with Fraser McGurk and Beth Cairns, two very talented local artists whose work and friendship I enjoy and from whom I’ve learned a lot.
I was pretty new at the retail art game when I approached Two Wolves to sell my work, but they gave me a shot and I appreciate that more than they know. Over the past couple of years, they’ve been encouraging, shared their knowledge of the art retail business with me, had me in for painting demos, opened a few doors for me and have been very supportive of my efforts. They’ve treated me very well and I consider them all friends. The good news is that Canmore is a small community and while I won’t be able to stop in and annoy them with my eye-rolling sense of humour whenever I want to, I’ll still see them all around town.
From a business standpoint, it’ll be an adjustment. While my work is still for sale at ‘About Canada’ in Banff, I’ll be on the lookout for a new location to show and sell my work in Canmore. I have no intention, however, of rushing it. After being treated so well by the folks at Two Wolves, anywhere else is going to have a lot to live up to and I’m willing to shop around.
Best of luck to Michelle, Andrea, Sheshoyna, Angela, Fraser and Beth in whatever future opportunities you pursue. It has been a privilege.