Coach House Gallery - Judy Fontyn-Sugg

Meet Judy Fontyn-Sugg, local artist and operator of the Coach House Gallery in downtown Orillia. Judy works in different mediums and creates an exciting variety of art. Her gallery is host to several local artists presenting work from landscape paintings to abstract mixed media work to art jewelry.

Read on to learn MORE about Judy and the Coach House Gallery! 

Judy Fontyn-Sugg with work available at the Coach House Gallery

You operate the Coach House Gallery in downtown Orillia. Tell me a bit about the gallery - how did the idea evolve? What is your favourite part about running a gallery?

We moved to Bayshore Village in 2014 just outside of Orillia and as nature lovers, we really enjoy the area given the two beautiful lakes, Simcoe and Couchiching. In February of 2016, we bought the building at 133 Mississauga Street East . The property is comprised of two buildings and included a coach house down the alleyway behind the Tre Sorelle restaurant, which we both thought would make a perfect art gallery as I paint so much and already displayed in different galleries around the area. In the beginning, half of the building was rented , so at first it was just my own work in one half of the coach house. In early 2017, Harold and Ferne relocated to the main street and we used that space in order to allow other artists to show their work. 
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My favorite part of running an art gallery is getting to know the other artists and getting to know the people of Orillia. I love talking to customers and seeing what inspires them and getting to know them. 
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The challenges are not being on the main street, you have to find a way to invite customers down the alleyway to visit our gallery. Over time as people get to know our location and me as an artist, it is and definitely helps. I want them to feel comfortable and inspired and have worked hard on making the gallery a welcoming space.

You are a prolific artist and always seem to be creating something new and exciting, from gorgeous paintings to functional art in different mediums like jewelry and decorative wine glasses – what are you currently working on?
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As the years have gone by, I find myself looking into different things to create, things that someone could use like my glassware and mugs as well as coasters and jewelry. I love all expressions of art and creativity so last winter I explored mosaics. I always have been attracted to glass and its reflective qualities. I also love texture and want to explore more with that and creating some more 3-D type art. I ordered more glow powder from Amazon so more of the luminescent art as well.

As a local Artist and art business owner, how do you see the Orillia Art Community growing and changing in the future? What would you like to see?

Orillia is known for its art scene and that is what I love about this town. There are so many different artists with different styles and mediums. Streets Alive is a wonderful event showing the artistic talent and diversity with art displayed on the street. As the town grows I see many more unique shops, studios and galleries popping up in downtown Orillia. I would love to see more events like Starry Night that really bring the traffic down the alley and to our town to view our many artists. The waterfront is a big draw for the town and I would love to see it more open visually with events to attract more tourists as well.

You may find more of Judy's work and the art of gallery artists on the Coach House Gallery facebook page or connect on Instagram. Or, better yet, drop by the gallery, in person, at 133 Mississaga St. E., down the laneway beside Tre Sorelle in downtown Orillia!

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All photos: work by Judy Fontyn-Sugg