Beside my new favourite roti shop “Sally’s” on Wellington Street, and just the next alley over from Antique Alley, you can now find an artist’s alley.
Local artist David Dossett told landlord Bill Bishop of his vision to transform the old alley and courtyard into a faux French street. Bishop was interested, but when Dossett began painting the asphalt pavement to look like cobblestone, he was so impressed he told David that he could do what he liked with the space.
Above the cobblestone, the dreary brown walls have been painted to look like brick, and rising above these is the impression of timbered walls. In the middle of the courtyard, a fancy wrought iron fence has been erected, and beside it, a tall clock and a spherical fountain. In one of the corners, Dossett envisions the back corner of a church, and in another, he has already painted the facade of a “Poissonerie.”
Paintings, postcards and prints are displayed in the alleyway, and when these showcases close at night, they are made to look like French windows. “I was inspired by a painting of my father’s, ‘Eglise rue de Seine Paris, by Utrillo,” Dossett explained. “In Quebec city when the artist’s alleyway closes up, it looks like an industrial site. I wanted to give a little more imagination.”
It is certainly an imaginative space. Dossett hopes to build a snowman in the courtyard for the winter, a real-life model of his first painting of children playing in the snow. He speaks nostalgically that it is important to be reminded of life’s playfulness and innocence. I think he has done much to show us that already.
Everyone who works in the alley is a participating artist. Chris Perry was artist on duty the day I went to take photos. Chris has been invited to submit her design to Wildlife Habitat Canada in contention for their newest Canadian stamp. Former winners have included Robert Bateman and Michael Dumas.
Shoppers are often attracted by the works of Tully (Michael Pearson), whose iconic images of Kingston are sold here at an affordable price. All of the art here is affordable, starting with postcards at $5, prints at $20-25. Original paintings are also sold, at higher prices, while still in an accessible range. I especially enjoyed the works of Todd Tremeer, whose peaceful paintings of nature give a sense of awe and presence. His style is like the group of seven, with large brushstrokes and natural tones fleshed in an impressionistic way. Many eyes are drawn to his depiction of a canoe, with the horizon tilted just slightly to give a sense of movement.
New art and artists are being added all the time, though currently the studio showcases art from David Dossett, M.P. Tully, Chris Perry, Todd Tremeer, J. Gazo-McKim, Lori Kallay, Christine Perry, Ncouture-Lord, June Shepherd, Jeff Gill, Eric Kincaid, Peter Fyfe, Karen Leggo, to name a few.
Martello Alley is located at 203 B Wellington, with an artist is on duty from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
The gallery may also be visited virtually at Martello-alley.myshopify.com.
