Endeavor Arts & Event Space is fresh out of the womb, having been on the Calgary arts scene for just nine months now. The gallery is gaining momentum and a reputation as a prime venue for digital and innovative arts. Located in the heart of Victoria Crossing, it typifies a growing trend.
“Calgary is starting to recognize the importance of urban living,” says Shannon Hoover, one of four co-owners and operators of Endeavor Arts.
Urban living simply means people living, working and playing within an easily commutable area. Endeavor Arts encourages the play aspect of this concept.
“Whenever we have events in here, there is also something for somebody to do,” says Hoover. “It’s the people that are brave and willing to try new things that end up leaving and getting away from the status quo and coming to a place like Calgary to try new things.”
With technology like the Tagtool — a collaborative tool for creating light graffiti — Endeavor Arts is sharing new and innovative technology that all visitors can use.
The 28,000 square foot gallery aims to display forms of art that use cutting edge technology while at the same time educate people on the changing conception of art.
“It doesn’t have to be paintings of horses or landscapes to be art,” says Hoover. “There are people that are using the new tool sets, and using it to create new things, and they’re using it to create new styles. It’s not that we’re bringing them to Calgary, they are already here, it’s that we’re trying to provide people with an avenue to talk about them or show them.”
Located in one of Calgary’s historic buildings on First Street, Endeavor Arts is housing fresh ideas in a well-designed space. Before being a gallery, the space was used for the Night Gallery, a nightclub that focused on innovative and underground music.
“Many people who come to rent the space for events used to come to the Night Gallery and were big fans of the Night Gallery,” says Maria Hoover, another of the co-owners and operators.
Being located in an historic building is a source of pride for Shannon Hoover. For him, there are two key ways to bring about innovation: diverse backgrounds and history.
“Part of what we’re trying to do is not throw away the old, because we have the new.”
Calgary is a city with a history of innovation and the Endeavor Arts team is trying to ensure that some is used for cultural development.
“It’s the people that are brave and willing to try new things that end up leaving and getting away from the status quo, and coming to a place like Calgary to try new things,” he says.