The Exchange District art gallery closing up shop

Cre8ery is closing its doors after 18 years.

An art gallery in Winnipeg’s Exchange District is closing its doors after 18 years in business.

Last month, Cre8ery Gallery and Studio announced it will close permanently as of April 20, with its final exhibition running from March 28 to April 19.

Owner Jordan Miller said the closing comes following a “massive” rent increase, adding that it’s a bittersweet decision.

“This is my retirement exhibition after 18 years,” she said in an interview on Tuesday.

“I’ve been a leader in the Exchange District and a supporter in the arts community for hundreds of artists and hundreds of shows.”

The final exhibition is titled ‘Beyond the Green: Building Perspectives and Layered Emotions.’ It tells the story of Miller’s journey since being diagnosed with a medical condition and going through the emotions of closing the gallery.

“This has been my entire career. More than half of my age has been spent doing this kind of work,” she explained.

Miller noted that she’s been receiving a lot of support and understanding since announcing the gallery’s closing.

“There’s no other space like this—that’s the general sentiment that people are saying to me.”

• With files from CTV’s Ainsley McPhail.