Katherine Donovan noticed the St. Clair West neighbourhood was lacking a funky, artsy place that residents could call their own. So in 2013, she opened up Amber Group Fine Art Gallery, a space that is frequently rented out for parties, weddings, social gatherings and local events. “At the time there wasn’t anything on the street,” says Katherine, “… and I’ve always liked this neighbourhood. I love the food that’s here, the people that are here – I love St. Clair.”
Katherine was drawn to the area’s charm and history, the many buildings left intact to keep telling the stories of their past. It’s one of the few neighbourhoods in Toronto that hasn’t been demolished to make way for condos, and a short walk down the street is a microcosmic look at Toronto’s ethnic makeup. It’s a place where Katherine enjoys seeing people from all walks of life sharing the same space, and she wanted to give back to the community by making Amber Group available to them.
“People came in and asked me if they could use it,” she says. “It’s hard to find a really nice space where you want to hold an event or office party.” Katherine’s space is medium-sized with a cozy atmosphere, an exposed brick wall and hardwood floor adding the perfect vibe for any event.
