April 30, 2026

DISCOVER ARTS MUSKOKA OPENS FRIDAY IN GRAVENHURST WITH NEW TAKE ON OLD THEME

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Damn!

That’s what the old gang at Arts at the Albion said recently when the co-op ceased operations after 14 years.

But not Barb Stofast.

Like an eager beaver, as fast as the doors closed she was working on a plan to bring it back to life.

In a new form. And with a DAM cute new logo.

Really much the same, said the artist herself.

Friday she’s getting the “band is getting back together.”

Sort of — with the new leader of Discover Arts Muskoka (DAM) Gallery & Gifts as she takes over the former Arts in the Albion location at Muskoka Road and Bay Street.

The Washago woman and her husband Karl recruited more than a dozen former artists and craftspeople — including five new members — bringing them back under the same roof of the main street venue for the soft re-opening she’s undertaking in a new and the returning venture.

Stofast said Wednesday night — while they were still painting — that a number of the new exhibitors lent them a hand this week painting and freshening up the two central rooms.

“Their works are starting to trickle in already.”

Thursday it was a flood (no pun) as the door flung wide open all day as finishing artworks poured in.

Stofast will have her studio in the front corner room overlooking the intersection.

The other artists will lease space from her and will also commit to staffing the DAM a couple days a week.