P.E.I. collective celebrates 20 years of rising artists

"Milestones and New Beginnings" celebrates Peake Street Collective's 20th anniversary. (Source: Lisa Theriault)

Twenty years ago, Donnalee Downe opened her garage door and ushered in a new generation of artists on Prince Edward Island. Downe’s home on Peake Street in Charlottetown welcomed emerging and established creatives, helping them build their portfolios and, by extension, expand the scene on the Island.

“At that time there were very few exhibition opportunities, particularly for young artists,” Downe said. “It was a grassroots organization that came together.

“It wasn’t just an exhibition space; it was a space for artists to talk about art.”

The Peake Street Collective is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, marking the countless artists who have starred under its banner. This Town is Small, an artist-run centre is running a retrospective exhibition on the past two decades of Peake Street from now until March 22.

Monica Lacey was one of the first artists to participate in a Peake Street exhibition. She’s routinely featured her work with the group, noting how it brought together artists from different disciplines, experience levels and walks of life.

“The fact it’s open to artists at any level is special,” she said. “It means a student artist can exhibit beside a senior artist who has practiced their craft for 40 years. It’s a leveling of the playing field. We have these exhibits that are multi-generational.”

Downe said Peake Street teamed up with This Town is Small, which formed in 2013, and took exhibitions around Charlottetown.

“It’s a living space,” Downe said. “We’ve been all over the place. We’ve had at least one show a year since COVID.”

Peake Street will celebrate its 20 years of exhibitions with a birthday party at 115 Richmond Street on Feb. 20. They will also have a wearable art party on March 15.

“Donnalee is a wonderful force in this place,” Lacey said. “When she pledges to do something, it is sustainable and welcoming and well thought out. It wouldn’t surprise me if it continued many generations into the future because of the hard work she’s done. It’s become something everyone really cares about.”

Reflecting on the past 20 years, Downe expressed surprise her project has evolved beyond her garage and across Charlottetown.

“I’ve been involved with organizations and they tend to have a lifespan,” she said. “I did not anticipate it would last this long. It feels like it’s had a rebirth.

“Right now there are seven first-time exhibitors with Peake Street. I love working with young artists.”

Peake Street’s two ongoing exhibitions – “Milestones and New Beginnings” and “Collective/Collection: Twenty Years of Peake Street” – are on display at the Hilda Woolnough Gallery in Charlottetown.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.