New gallery and co-creating studio opens in Stratford

Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma congratulates and presents a certificate to Gabriella Fortunes, founder of Cuyuni Creates, during the gallery’s grand opening earlier this week.

The official grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting for Cuyuni Creates took place earlier this week, with local budding artists and community members gathering to celebrate a new art gallery and co-creating studio located at 315 Front St., Unit 5.

Cuyuni Creates, founded by Gabriella Fortunes, offers a space for local artists, creative workshops such as paint nights, community events and artistic expression, positioning itself as a vibrant hub of creativity in the city.

The space aims to foster connection and creativity for various art forms and age groups.

“We’re building a community-focused gallery and co-creating studio that highlights emerging artists, culture and collaborative creativity,” said Fortunes.

Fortunes notes that her interest in art began early in Guyana, where she was born. Later, in 2018, after moving to Canada to attend Nancy Campbell Academy, her love of art grew even deeper.

“My family is not here with me; they're in Guyana, but I have made my family here in Stratford,” Fortunes said to the crowd of family and friends gathered at the grand opening. “If you know me, you know that I'm a very adventurous person. I came here as a high school student and attended Nancy Campbell Academy, where my artistic journey started.”

While attending Nancy Campbell Academy, she was able to curate classes to suit her artistic desires, which led her to decide to open the new space.

“I decided to choose all the courses that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take in Guyana, like visual arts and drama,” she said. “Nancy Campbell is a boarding school, but it's also like a performing arts school. I took all the artistic classes and courses, and then I realized I loved painting and that it was very therapeutic for me, and that’s where it really began.”

Her background, she says, profoundly influences both her art and her community approach, fostering the idea to create a space for artists, writers and small business owners seeking an affordable, inclusive place to work and showcase their talent.

“This space is truly not just my space,” said Fortunes. “It's the space of the artists who are showcasing their work in here. Most of them are emerging artists, and that is very intentional. I want to give that space and welcome people and emerging artists so they can show their work to the world.”

Mayor Martin Ritsma attended the event and spoke about his pride in the young, talented small business owners and artists who contribute to the city’s cultural landscape. He added that he has long supported creative spaces.

“Art makes our community,” Ritsma said. “When I look around this space, two words come to mind: talent and diversity.”

For more information or to connect with Fortunes, visit www.cuyunicreates.com.