Sandstones Art Gallery & Gift Shop

Sandstones is a unique combination of an artisan gallery, gift shop, and flower shop. Set in the heart of Downtown Moncton. Located in suite 104 on the main level of the Blue Cross Centre on Main Street, Sandstones offers an unusual perspective on aesthetics in its presentation of top quality, authentic area artwork from local artisans who work in a variety of mediums. Fine collections of handmade jewellery, wall art, sculptures, handcrafted candles, photography, and gifts from nature such as wonderful minerals, shells, crystals, and fossils are delightfully displayed in a store that is a jewel in its own right.

Sandstones is the creation of its owner Shawna Gagné. The realization of a 13-year-old dream, Shawna explains, "I’ve always loved working with my hands, creating artistic pieces in jewellery and photography, and I’ve loved going to sales where I can showcase my work. I’ve always disliked packing up my stuff at the end of each day, however, so having my own store has been a dream." A gifted individual, Shawna’s own photography can be found at Sandstones in a line of greeting cards and framed pieces evoking a range of emotion in the viewer from some of the Maritimes’ most beautiful, natural surroundings.

Sandstones is the perfect place to drop in and browse. Its peaceful, beautiful surroundings offer an oasis of calm in the midst of a hectic world. Here, one can take time to explore the hearts and minds of our area’s wonderful, local artisans through compelling works from the likes of renowned area artist Georges Goguen, textured paintings by emerging artist Terri Chalk, stained glass by Kilby McLafferty, pottery by Sylvia Bell, exquisite beeswax candles by Kurt and Katherine Zeltner, superbly shaped jewellery and trinket boxes by Tim Sears, wooden bowls by Rick Gallant, framed photographs by Louis Gagné, and hand-carved alabaster bowls and unique jewellery items by Hans Durstling.

"Sandstones," explains Shawna, "has been attracting many visitors. Everyone is really excited that Moncton has an artisan gallery. Consumers and art lovers want an alternative place to shop and opportunity to purchase unique hand-made gifts. This gallery has more than just paintings, we offer functional art too. More and more people are taking pride in local community arts and culture. Sandstones’ focus is to grow that interest".

Featuring the works of a different artisan each month, Sandstones is currently displaying the works local jeweller and artisan Ginette Henri whose most recent creations are contained in the exhibit entitled, "Flowers in Time." These exciting pieces are developed using copper foil, stainless steel, and brass wire fused together onto smoky plexiglass panels using Ginette’s own inventions in technique to create truly remarkable works of art.

The City of Moncton in collaboration with an exclusive group of local galleries and artists who work together, will host a special studio tour beginning on November 1, 2008. Various local galleries will be "central stations" or "starting points" for the tour, including Sandstones, of course. Watch for information brochures and tour guide pamphlets to become available soon. For more information, or to be included in the guide, contact Shawna Gagné at Sandstones Gallery at 388-2332, or e-mail at info@sandstones.ca and be sure to check out their website at http://www.sandstones.ca/. Curious about the name Sandstones? Here is an illuminating explanation about the name choice written by Hans Durstling:

Why "sandstones?" The beauty and stature of this region’s sandstone is among our better kept secrets. In building Central Park 150 years ago the celebrated landscape architects Calvert Vaux and Frederic Law Olmstead specified Dorchester sandstone for the ornamentation of its most important installations. Who can imagine a more culturally iconic public place in North America, indeed perhaps even in all the world, than Central Park, New York? And it is "our" stone that decorates its most prestigious features. There’s more. Some years ago, Fred Pellerin of Atlantic Sandstone in Scoudouc supplied Dorchester sandstone, decorating the two proudest places on the continent, Atlantic to Pacific, sea to sea. Yet, sandstone is no snobbish thing but down to earth, solid, accessible. The stone itself thus reflects and signals the intent of Sandstones’ Gallery, which is to place before the public works that are both of the region and of stature, of quality, artistry, and pride. These are the hallmarks of our stone.

Visit Sandstones Mondays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and experience a place that will stimulate your mind, please your heart, and replenish your soul!