One of Vancouver‘s oldest artist-run galleries will close by October’s end because of the loss of funds from the community gaming grants.

Helen Pitt Gallery, which opened 35 years ago, was on an annual gaming grant of $30,000-$35,000 – half of its yearly operating costs. It is one of the numerous arts and community organizations that lost out in the B.C. government’s U turn on multi-year grants earlier this week.

Paul Kajander, director/curator of the gallery, said that the board is in talks with educational establishments and other institutions to see if a space could be donated to allow the gallery’s work to continue.

Over three decades, the gallery has exhibited the work of many Vancouver artists and students who have gone on to successful careers and international prominence, including Attila Richard Lucas and Angela Grossman. Legendary punk band U-J3RK5 (pronounced You Jerks), which featured Vancouver artists Ian Wallace, Rodney Graham and Jeff Wall, played the gallery in the 1970s.