PRESSURE POINT
What is this project?
Pressure Point is a queer, artist-run reduced-barriers space for local artists to sell their artwork
in a managed, curated, and high-foot-traffic environment. This project is not-for-profit, meaning
that commissions from art sales go back into keeping the space open. We aim to reduce barriers
for emerging artists and share resources in solidarity with those targeted by systemic barriers
by ensuring that artists retain a minimum of 70% of profits. Pressure Point prioritizes support for
local emerging LGBTQIA2S+* and BIPoC artists** in so-called Vancouver.
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*LGBTQIA2S+ refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, two-spirit, and more.
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**BIPoC refers to Black, Indigenous, People of Colour.
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These acronyms are complex and flawed, and they help us communicate who we aim to serve.
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What organizations and spaces is Pressure Point connected to?
Pressure Point is a project of The James Black Gallery, an artist-run centre across the street from
our shop location at 144 E 6th Ave. This pop-up shop is located in room 108 at the iconic City
Centre Motel amidst 70 or so studio artists, where a number of arts and culture festivals happen
throughout the year.
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What do you mean by 'pressure point'?
A 'pressure point' can mean a location on a structure that takes on a higher level of burden, rendering it susceptible to a higher level of damage. In settler-colonial capitalist culture, artists are often undervalued for their labour and placed in precarious positions, or cherry-picked for inclusion into oppressive systems of wealth-making. A pressure point is the location of precarity.
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A pressure point is also a place on the body where, when touched with knowledge and tenderness, can activate interconnected nerves that begin to heal systems throughout the whole body. A pressure point contains our innate capacity to transform.
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A pressure point is also a place on the body where, when touched with knowledge and tenderness, can activate interconnected nerves that begin to heal systems throughout the whole body. A pressure point contains our innate capacity to transform.
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We believe artists are keepers of knowledge, the bridge between worlds, creators of joy, parts of a network working towards a stronger cultural body. As an artist touches these nodes of connection precarity, wisdom, and transformation is born.
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Accessibility Information
We are located in room 108 on the ground floor of the City Centre Artist Motel and are wheelchair accessible. Our space is a 150 sq ft room that is 10 ft x 13 ft. Currently, we do not have a public washroom available. There is a large parking lot in front of the space for visitors and artists to park vehicles temporarily. Masks are recommended.
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For more accessibility information, please email us at store@thejamesblack.gallery
Location
RM 108 - 2111 Main Street, Vancouver BC
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Hours
Saturdays and Sundays 12-5pm
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email: store@thejamesblack.gallery
IG: @pressurepoint108​
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Submissions accepted on an ongoing basis.