On behalf of Quarters Arts Society (QAS), I am honoured and elated to be able to finally welcome you to our new home: CO*LAB, a brick and mortar space where we can further our mandate of grassroots, arts-centred community-building, while advocating for equity, safe® spaces, representation, and accessibility in the arts.

QAS developed CO*LAB to be a community-run arts hub that offers the unique opportunity to connect neighbours, to share knowledge and ideas, to collaborate, create, and celebrate in Boyle Street.

Since our departure from Boyle Street Plaza in 2016, QAS has been searching to find space to be able to facilitate our monthly arts nights, annual GLOW walking lantern parade, artist residency programs, curated art shows, concerts, and writing workshops.

Beginning in early 2018, volunteers at QAS have worked with the City of Edmonton to rehabilitate the building located at 9641 102A Avenue, ensuring we meet our community’s requests for accessible gallery, performance, workshop, studio, kitchen, and public spaces found in our centre. We are so eager to be able to once again bring consistent, barrier free programming and have continuity of presence in the neighbourhood we love.

Although COVID-19 has changed the capacity and scope of how we produce events and create together, know that in the near future CO*LAB’s doors will be open to once again host our monthly Quarters Arts Nights, featuring an open stage, special performances, art shows, and new media exhibits. We can’t wait to be able to share new programming initiatives we have been developing with our neighbours at iHuman, Ociciwan, and artists that identify with the rich history and Chinese diaspora found in South Chinatown.

In the meantime you can join us in person, socially distanced of course, or online at twitch.tv/quarterarts every Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., for our all ages, pop-up Summer Music Series, showcasing the many talents of our community, that will culminate in a Boyle Street Block Party on September 19.

If you are curious about getting involved or have an idea for QAS programming at CO*LAB, you can contact me via email at ad@quartersarts.org. Curious about renting or volunteering? Contact Manda Brownrigg at operationsdirector@quartersarts.org. Looking forward to CO*LABerating with you!

Lorin Klask is the Artistic Director and a founding member of Quarters Arts Society.