Featuring: Mike Soltis, The Art Department
“I love this community very much, and I wanted to create a space for creativity, connection and exploration; something different to do. I believe art and creative pursuits are important and good for your soul, whether you think you're creative or not.”
A South Delta business he recommends: The Hub Refillery
Can you explain the philosophy of The Art Department and what customers can expect?
Visual artist and South Delta resident Mike Soltis is a true jack of all trades. He’s done a little bit of everything — from teaching to acting and contracting to interior design. But no matter what he does, creativity and community are at the heart of it all. And after having a pie-in-the-sky conversation with a friend one day — one where they imagined a space where anybody could come to be inspired, be creative, and find community — Mike Soltis’ passion came to life. The Art Department was born. The Art Department provides a space for different people with all sorts of perspectives and ideas to come together and share in something creative. You don’t have to consider yourself an artist to attend. In fact, Soltis wants to challenge the idea that we’re not all creative. (We really are!) Whether you’d like to try a workshop, dabble in a family paint night, explore a drop-in activity or participate in an art class, you can test out everything from painting to jewelry-making, no experience required. If you can create it, it can come to life with the help of Soltis and the beautiful space he’s dreamed up.
Can you tell us about your professional background ?
I've done all kinds of different things, but always with creativity at the heart of it. I have a master’s degree in education, and I was a film and TV actor for 15 years, as well as an acting teacher. I also owned a home building and renovation business for three years in Tsawwassen. Creativity's always been at the core of everything I've done. So, even when I was a home builder, I did a lot of the interior design in the homes. I've always had a knack for composition, whether it's putting things on a shelf or putting paint on a canvas. Before that, I started an art gallery in Palm Springs which helped me develop the skills that led me here.
What inspired you to open The Art Department?
I was painting for a while, and I've always thought it would be so cool to have an art space — like a big warehouse where art happened. It was kind of a pipe dream, but then I saw a space in Tsawwassen that was for lease, and I thought I’d check it out. Before I knew it, I found myself signing the lease and starting this business. It came from seeing a need. I'm all about community and building spaces that get people out of their houses and meeting others you wouldn't normally meet. I think art really facilitates that. And the kind of things I'm offering here are not just for artists. In fact, I really want to dispel myths around art and what art is. The most common thing I hear is, "I'm not creative” or “I'm not an artist." I really want to break through that and teach people that art is more; it’s for everybody.
Can you explain the philosophy of The Art Department and what customers can expect?
I believe art and creative pursuits are important and good for your soul, whether you think you're creative or not. Sometimes art is about artistry and becoming an artist, but I think for most people, it's almost like therapy. It's the doing of the art that uses a different part of your brain and teaches you to let go of the outcome and just to participate in something — to make it about play and discovery as opposed to thinking it has to look like something or be something. It’s more about the journey. A lot of people come here who have never been in an art class or feel nervous, but they’re able to do something different or uncomfortable, and I think they end up surprised at how it affects them. It’s fun and inspiring, and The Art Department is just that: a place for fun and inspiration.
What offerings are you most proud of or excited about?
We have everything from art and pottery classes to workshops and private parties. We also have a monthly drop in called ARTNADO, which is intended for anyone to bring anything that they're working on. So, we’ll have music going and we’ve had someone here making prosthetics for their Halloween costume and someone else doing some beading and fabric arts and then someone else drawing and someone else painting, and everyone’s sharing different artistic practices together. I'd love to see that grow. We also had a flower workshop with Our Little Flower Company, which is another local business. The energy was so cool. There were lots of flowers, and people moving around and creating these incredible bouquets that were all so different. It was a great way to support another business. I just love it. The space here is like a box of creativity where I put different things and people in, and get to see what comes out.
Finally, please tell us how you feel about the South Delta community.
I live here and I absolutely love it. The first thing that comes to mind is the water access. We're just surrounded by it, and it’s my happy place. I come alive at the beach. I also think there's a spirit here. The people are so friendly and open and supportive. To hear the overwhelming amount of support for the business, and to have people thank me for bringing it here… I can’t say enough about it here. There's no other place I'd rather be.
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