The new gallery is owned and operated by Jules Chamberlain. Jules has “hung out” in the hamlet for the past 18 years, but 5 years ago he took the plunge and bought a house on the main street that used to belong to the country doctor. He has spent the past several months transforming the large garage on his property into a gallery, and on October 8 Rainette – Treefrog opened its doors.

After speaking with Jules for several hours in his gallery, I came away with the feeling that he has found the perfect way to combine two passions — art and community. That he is passionate about art and the people who create it was clear from the way he spoke about Pierre Ostiguy, a 55 year-old painter from Granby, Ontario whose work was part of the impetus behind the creation of Treefrog. Ostiguy paints in the “art brut” or “outsider art” style, a title attributed to the French painter Jean Dubuffet who meant by the term “works executed by those immune to artistic culture in which imitation has no role; in which their creators take all (subjects, materials, transposition, rhythm, style etc.) from their own individuality and not from the base of classical art or stylish trends” (source: ). Ostiguy has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, which in terms of his art means that he paints without much interference from the usual filters of pride, shame, and need for acceptance — he expresses what he is experiencing or needing to communicate and that is what ends up on the canvas — whether or not it is “pretty.”

Mounting a show like this, from the “build the gallery” stage through the selecting and framing of the art to the opening night, has certainly been a leap of faith for Jules. “I did it because I believe in the artist and want to help and encourage him,” he says. Given that 5 pieces have already sold, and that people are buzzing about both the art and the gallery, I would say that he has accomplished his goal. The show of Pierre Ostiguy’s work will continue at Treefrog through the end of November.

As for the community angle, that’s where the bread and coffee come into the picture. Having lived in McDonalds Corners for several years, Jules has identified a few basic needs that haven’t thus far been met in the village. As a connaisseur of quality coffee, for example, Jules has had to make emergency road trips into Perth when supplies have run low. To address that need, Treefrog carries a supply of fair trade, organic coffee beans from Multatuli in Kingston. You can grab a cup while you browse (he’ll even make you an espresso!), or take home beans by the pound. Jules’ idea is to gradually build up a small retail supply of some basics that haven’t been available in the village — he’s already offering bread from Perth’s Sunflower Bake Shop, and plans to add items like good quality olive oil, pasta, and even phosphate-free laundry soap.

Jules’ concept is exactly opposite from the modern “create a need and then fill it” style of marketing — instead he perceives needs and then addresses them. By combining this with an art gallery, he hopes to create “a conjunctive social space” that will add to the community he is so passionate about. He describes this space as open and malleable, and is currently talking to some musicians about other possible uses for the gallery. And his Acadian roots shine through when he starts dreaming of one day building a beaver-back clay oven in which to bake bread for his neighbours…

So far, the response from both locals and folks from surrounding areas has been overwhelmingly positive, and so Jules plans to keep Treefrog open on weekends from 9–4, with an eye towards eventually expanding to four days a week. He can be reached at 278–0567 or by email. Do drop in before the end of November, and have a look at the powerful art by Pierre Ostiguy.
— Kris Riendeau