While already full of local artists’ displays and work, The Village Arts is taking the store to the next level with its new Back Room Collaborators section.

Originally a nook located at the back of the shop full of wares for customers, the storeroom has been converted into a miniature gallery displaying works from various local artists, all set to a theme.

The current show on display’s is called “The Global Forest.”

It features earthy tones and nature-inspired artwork, and aims to bring awareness to the beauty in the valley, as well as environmental protection.

The gallery’s walls were also re-painted to evoke the show’s environmental atmosphere.

The idea for the Back Room Collaborators came from a contributing artist at Village Arts, Leslie Rowe-Israelson.

“Artists with Village Arts have been invited to work on the room,” said Daniel Dunbar, summer intern at Village Arts.

The new room display adds on to the Village Arts Society’s goals, which are to provide a permanent marketplace in which to feature the products and talents of local artists, share the costs associated with marketing and sales and provide a means for artisans to share ideas and best practices with others with a common interest.

So far, according to Dunbar, several artists in the society have taken to the invitation to participate in the display, and customer and other visitor feedback has been extremely positive.

“We would love to have a sign over the entrance to the display,” said Dunbar.

“We’re going to see if a painter or woodworker would be interested in doing that.”

Mid-way through October, the display room’s main concept will change again.

Works based on the theme “Fall Turns to Winter,” will carry on through Christmas.

For more information about the Back Room Collaborators or Village Arts, visit villagearts.ca or call 250-332-6151.