Sault loses Arcadia Coffee House and Whitespace Gallery

Arcadia Coffee House and the Whitespace Gallery will close their doors on September 30.

Shown is an photo taken during Art in the Parking Lot this summer at Arcadia Coffee House and Whitespace Gallery.

The following statement appears on the Arcadia Coffee House website:

************************* Due to events/pressures which are beyond our control, the Arcadia Coffee House will be having its last day of business on September 30, 2009.

We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to everyone that has contributed to the coffee house over the past few years and hope that it may rise again in some form or another.

Unfortunately for now, in order to maintain the project as a whole, it will not be possible to continue on with the coffee house component of the project.

Again thank you so much for your support.

************************* This evening, SooToday.com received the following e-mail from Cassie O'Neil a student filmmaker based in Toronto.

O'Neil also provided us with links to two previews of her documentary on the Arcadia Project and a short clip on this year's Art in the Parking Lot event.

************************** I’m a student filmmaker based in Toronto.

This summer I independently filmed a documentary on the Arcadia Project, which is currently in post-production.

Arcadia Coffeehouse and Whitespace Gallery will have their last day of business on September 30.

I have witnessed the growth of Arcadia over the past two years.

The project has become an important part of many lives.

The building is just that; a building.

The Arcadia Project is not tangible.

It is a community.

This project has been one of the many examples of Sault Ste. Marie’s vibrant arts community, which will hopefully continue to have the nourishment it needs.

Creative people need comfortable and inviting spaces to meet and work in.

Without these spaces, they will leave the city.

I am extremely proud of everyone who has contributed to the project.

It saddens me, along with so many others, that for the time being, it cannot live on.

I have attached links to two small clips of documentary footage, as well as a video from Art in the Parking Lot.

Stay tuned for the final product.

Thank you,

- Cassie O’Neil

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