The concept and need for a centre of visual and related arts is not new to the Capital Region. For 20 years Greater Victoria’s four core municipalities have been developing homes and venues for the performing arts, music and crafts, but no integrated facility currently exists for shared use by community-based artists, arts group offices, studios, productions, community education, special events, and public workshops by and for visual artists. Now, with the availability of the 1890 Officers’ Mess, Building 1027, at CFB Esquimalt’s Work Point Army Barracks, this vision is attainable.

Why would it work? The region’s professional artists and art organizations need a centre. The municipality of Esquimalt is looking for ways to change its image and attract a new kind of industry to the community, and Canada needs to preserve what’s left of its quickly vanishing heritage sites. The Work Point Arts Project fits criteria outlined in new Federal initiatives like the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Tomorrow Starts Today,” designed to preserve heritage and culture. In addition, the Department of National Defense is looking for ways to decommission old facilities without destroying them and their historical significance. The regional arts centre could be an exciting direction for the Department as well as for the municipality of Esquimalt and the Capital Regional DIstrict.

Upon completion of capital improvements to upgrade the Work Point building to code and to create a functional interior, the operation of the centre is planned to run as a self-sufficient not-for-profit institution. Provincial non-profit Society status for the Work Point Arts Project Society is already in place. Thirty studio/office rental spaces, two spacious boardrooms and two large gallery venues that will double as multi-use reception halls, will provide operating revenue from space rentals, art workshops and special events. It is extraordinary to note that Revenue Canada states that “60% of all artists in Canada, filing income tax, live in southern Vancouver Island and area.” The working artists are all here - the Work Point Arts Project recognizes their potential and the oft-stated need for reliable, affordable studio, presentation and demonstration space in the Capital Region.

The Work Point Arts Project Society also recognizes that this historic site at Work Point, on the western shores of Victoria’s harbour, can provide the opportunity to consolidate the visual arts within the fabric of the community. “Everyone else has a piece of the Inner Harbour, the heart of Victoria,” said Work Point Arts Project Society spokesperson Colin MacLock, “so let’s let some culture in to share the space and ensure a future for the arts.” MacLock is an Esquimalt-based visual artist and illustrator who has spearheaded the Work Point Arts Project since hearing the news that Building 1027 was redundant to CFB Esquimalt’s needs last year. He contacted like-minded Esquimalt residents and project supporters to work on bringing the project to fruition. The volunteer organization meets monthly.

The proposal includes a permanent exhibition component to preserve the building’s military history as an Officers’ Quarters and Mess. This will be housed in the former east wing of the Officers’ quarters. Building 1027 has a great history, indeed, as part of Work Point Army Barracks’ major role in coastal artillery defense when Western Canada was threatened by invasion in the 19^th century. The building’s historical role and significance have been acknowledged for 20 years, starting with the 1982 Department of National Defense heritage inventory by military historian Lt. Col. Doug Nelson who ranked it as the fourth most important built heritage element of all CFB Esquimalt’s holdings. The Work Point Arts Project would preserve this legacy. Support for the project has been received from the Township of Esquimalt, the Capital Regional District Arts Committee, Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Arnie Hamilton and MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, Dr. Keith Martin, as well as from a wide range of community and professional arts and culture organizations and individuals. The Society’s advisory Board includes arts and heritage luminaries such as Martin Segger, Pat Martin-Bates, Walter Dexter and Paddy Stewart.

Following discussions with the CFB Esquimalt Base Commander in the Spring of 2001, the Work Point Arts Project implemented a series of engineering building studies in order to develop a sold, viable business plan for Building 1027. Capital improvements and operating budgets were completed in January 2002. “We want the Base, the municipality, the arts community and our region to all benefit from this unique arts project,” MacLock said. The Society has continued discussions with DND since and awaits the public consultation process preliminary to disposition of Work Point lands redundant to DND purposes, including Building 1027.

“It is extremely important from a heritage context to keep the building on the site where it was built,” noted MacLock, who understands that there is interest from other communities to have the historic military building removed from Esquimalt.

The arts provide many social benefits to local communities. The Work Point Arts Project will trigger community revitalization. Economic spinoffs could include both the creation of new businesses and a much-needed boost to existing businesses in Esquimalt. This centre will be a destination point on the West Bay walkway, thus supporting cultural tourism. This project also intends to respond to needs for information exchange and mentorship with local education and art programs within the lifelong learning community and the education system. Professionalism, accessibility and creativity are earmarks of the project --all attributes welcome in any community.

Readers who wish more information or who want to work with the Work Point Arts Project Society may contact Colin MacLock at 250-388-4090 or by email at colin@acrossthe harbour.com.

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