Gallery featuring only local artists opens in Winnipeg's Exchange District

It's supposed to be despair and hope all at once, you know, to hit rock bottom, but to have that power inside to change. Abstracts, landscapes, familiar scenes, all the work of Winnipeg artists, and all on display in Lucent Gallery and Design Studio. Winnipeg is rich with art. We have incredible, incredible talented artists, so there aren't enough commercial galleries as far as I'm concerned. Laura Porath and her partner Mike Page have opened a gallery along Albert Street. Both growing up in the area, they wanted to bring a splash of colour to Winnipeg's Exchange District. Yeah, we just have a history of this neighbourhood. Like, I grew up as a kid going to shows at the Alberts. This was the most talked about piece at Nuit Blanche. Many of the pieces have a distinct Winnipeg feel. This is from a solo show he had in 2025. He has been the recipient of the RBC Painting Award and is a detective with the Winnipeg Police here. Local artist Lauren Rich is happy the Exchange has another attraction. The space is sort of a breath of fresh air, I think. In this neighbourhood, in the exchange, you know, it does bring in more people. Porath says internationally, Winnipeg is seen as a creative city. We aren't influenced by any other major cities, so what's coming out of here is a different type of creativity that you're not seeing in the other major cities. And with free admission, the price to visit is a work of art in of itself. Matt Humphrey, CBC News, Winnipeg.