Kim Hancock, an artist based in Coombs, British Columbia, is opening her studio gallery, Arts Afire Gallery, to the public for the summer season. The gallery will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Hancock often present outside those hours when her sign is out. She works primarily in abstract expressionism, using mixed media such as acrylic, latex, spray paint, crayon, oil, collage, and pastels. Hancock studied art at UBC and the Instituto Allende in Mexico, has traveled widely, and has operated her gallery in Coombs since 2000. She also teaches art classes, offers free classes for those who cannot afford them, and is currently entered in an online competition called the People’s Artist, with plans to upgrade her studio, offer free classes, and host an exhibition on love, loss, and cellular structures if she wins.
This story matters as a local arts news item highlighting the role of small, independent galleries in fostering community engagement with visual art. Hancock’s commitment to accessibility—through free classes and flexible hours—underscores how grassroots art spaces can make creativity available to broader audiences. Her participation in the People’s Artist competition also reflects the growing influence of online platforms in supporting emerging and regional artists, potentially providing funding for community-oriented projects.