The Effie Arts Collective – Showing support to a fleeting venue
The Effie Arts Collective is a Kamloops-owned and operated art venue that hosts shows ranging from comedy to live music. Owned by Kayly and Aaron Butowski, the Effie was created as a third space for art lovers and artists alike.
“We’ve always tried to make a space that is accessible to artists… and to have a space that brings people together.” Kayly Butowski stated during the interview.
Located at 442 Tranquille Rd., the Effie is a humbly decorated building with a small bar, table seating, and a large center stage for performers. The decor and overall atmosphere were reminiscent of a speakeasy. The dimly lit space and the chatter of other audience members create a nostalgic, almost familiar feeling.
Stand-up comedian and Canadian Screen Award winner Julie Kim headlined the performance the night of the interview. Her performance had the crowd laughing throughout the set; at one point, an audience member was laughing so hard he dropped his glass. Speaking briefly after the show, Julie Kim expressed her love for The Effie and her sadness over its final shows.
In April, the Effie Arts Collective will shut down its only location. This is something the owners always knew would happen. The owner of the building, Propolis, has long planned to tear down the building to rebuild as affordable housing in part with Kamloops’ North Shore housing project.
“Day one we knew that was the end goal. We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time… The biggest challenge has been knowing it’s going to end,” Aaron Butowski said.
Although The Effie has not officially announced its closure, members have been speculating it’s close. As a result, many artists and community members have been attending more shows and are trying to help the venue reopen in a different location. The owners say they are searching for a new space before turning to community fundraising to help with opening a new location.
Aaron Butowski stated that “the biggest thing that people can do to help is to come to events.”
Whether as audience members or performers, support from the community during their final shows could help the Effie potentially reopen.
Kamloops has few venues where artists and audience members can go to support and enjoy a range of art forms. It is important as residents to support the few venues that exist.
Thompson Rivers University students could play a key role in The Effie’s future by attending shows.
“We’ve always wanted the TRU students to come, but we have a hard time breaking into that populace,” Kayly Butowski said.
By supporting the venue in its final months, we can demonstrate to banks and city officials that the Effie is an important part of Kamloops’ local arts and music scene. Even TRU students who would like somewhere to perform can support through putting on a performance at the Effie.
“We would love TRU students who have a story to tell,” said Aaron Butowski.
By attending events and showing support, community members could help The Effie Arts Collective, a Kamloops-owned venue, secure a new location and cement itself as one of Kamloops’ best art venues.
For those with a story to tell or who are looking for a place to enjoy art, The Effie remains open until April and will hopefully reopen shortly after.
