Creating new business in the community, while supporting artists, makers and musicians

More than five years after his passing, Phil Arber’s dreams of growing art and creativity in Vankleek Hill continue to become reality at the Creating Centre he inspired.

“It was one of his dreams as well,” says Arber’s partner Samme Putzel, who purchased the historic three-storey brick building at the corner of Highway 34 and County Road 10 in 2018. “It was sparked by him way back in the beginning and his idea of nurturing the community, creativity and culture is all embodied in the activities that go on there.”

Located on the corner of a busy intersection in the heart of Vankleek Hill, the Creating Centre is dedicated to promoting creativity in all genres – from art, to music, drama, dance, creative discussion and philosophy, writing and compilation. Over the past four years, the centre has provided a spot for artist studios, start-up businesses, concerts and craft fairs.

“It’s gone beyond what we both could have imagined, because the community loves it,” Putzel enthuses. “They’re discovering what they can do there.”

The number of people who use the centre has surprised even its owner, and Vankleek Hill is already seeing a spin off in new businesses that started up by renting a space in the building and have now opened their own larger spaces. Most recently, Stephanie Pete opened Art and Dream Studios for her students just up the road from the Creating Centre, while textile crafter Andrea Belcham opened her own space for Indigo Hill Dye Studio.

“It gave me a chance to get on my feet,” says Pete, who teaches youth art classes and was the first tenant of the Creating Centre when it opened in 2018. “I didn’t have a lot of overhead, because my rent wasn’t (high).”

Pete started a sketch class with just a handful of participants, which grew to almost 30 students taking regular weekend classes by the time she decided to expand Art and Dream Studios into its new space this past January. The studio’s owner says none of it would have happened were it not for the Creating Centre and the support of Putzel.

“Samme was really encouraging me to pursue my career in the arts – she was very enthusiastic about the experience I had,” says Pete, adding the centre also helped integrate her into the local art community, as all of the artists who worked on the second floor of the building got to know each other. “It’s a creative community and you get to meet other people who are like-minded.”

“We all became very close and supportive of each other and we shared ideas.”

Belcham, who moved Indigo Hill Dye Studio out of her rental space at the Creating Centre to a location on Vankleek Hill’s Main Street in December of 2021, echoes Pete’s feelings about the site.

“What it did primarily was serve as a spot where I could connect with other makers and artists from the area,” says Belcham, who also hosts the annual Fibre Frolic festival at the centre. “Just by having a space there and talking with Samme and talking with the artists who were also on that floor is how I came to know the maker and craft community in this area.”

Both Pete and Belcham say they will remain connected to the Creating Centre, with Belcham noting that future Fibre Frolics will continue to be held there.

“It’s fabulous that we were able to offer them faith and encouragement and that they were able to spread their wings and move on to follow their dreams,” says Putzel, of the new businesses created by Belcham and Pete. “The Creating Centre is still very much a part of that picture, because we can support them in their individual businesses and they can still use the centre – we can call them alumni.”

“It’s like planting a seed and watching it grow. It’s perfect.”

Another user of the site is music teacher Alice Rodger, who has been teaching private classes there since 2018. Rodger and Pete have also teamed up for events, including a large plant sale in the spring of 2021. But unlike Pete, Rodger has no plans to move into a larger space.

It’s casual, wonderful and welcoming – Samme’s great,” says Rodger, who has about 40 students she teaches at the centre. “I’m very happy where I am.”

In addition to artists renting spaces, the building has served as a location for various projects, including a youth podcast venture, where the centre was used as the broadcast studio. The space has also hosted the annual Vankleek Hill Christmas Craft Show put on by the Excellent Events group, Fibre Frolic, art shows and multiple concerts – even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health regulations allowed.

“One of the things about COVID and the space is that it’s so adjustable it can go down to be used by one or two people and then can expand for larger gatherings,” Putzel notes.

The outside of the Creating Centre is also well utilized and very visible – located right beside the traffic lights in downtown Vankleek Hill. The Phil Arber Memorial Garden is used all the time in the summer by both local residents and visitors to the community.

“I’m thrilled, people love it there,” Putzel says.

A piano out front of the building is used for outdoor musical performances in the warmer months and the building is always bright and colourful, with its window themes changing by the season or event. Papier Mache puppets by artist Susie Fairbrother – whose studio is located on the second floor – serve as mascots for the building.

“I love it – I love that I have more space,” says Fairbrother, who originally moved to the Creating Centre to allow her then pregnant daughter to live in her home studio at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The artist liked the spot so much she decided to stay.

“I’m not going back,” Fairbrother laughs.

Spaces are always available at the building for those who wish to use it for its intended purposes. Anyone wanting more information on the Creating Centre, or to rent a space, can contact Putzel via email at [email protected].

Putzel says Phil Arber would be thrilled to see how his dreams have continued to thrive in Vankleek Hill.

“It’s pretty incredible that it’s come this far,” she reflects, adding she draws strength from the site and the art community that uses it. “People have really enjoyed it and they’ve been inspired by it.”

“It’s a real inspiration so it doesn’t take energy – it gives energy.”