A change is coming to downtown Courtenay in early November as South Hollow Art Studio & Gallery changes locations.

After operating Leapenhi Paper Designs at 281-5th Street for more than 15 years, owners Penny McCullough and Lea Mann have retired. The Leapenhi store is temporarily closed until Nov. 12, when the creative arts venue will be re-opened under new ownership and a new name, South Hollow on 5th.

South Hollow’s owners are Comox Valley artists and entrepreneurs, Valerie Taylor and Pam Young, who have been operating their fine arts gallery and working studio at another location in Courtenay since June 2008.

South Hollow features a wide range of original contemporary pieces by artists from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Available works include paintings, photography, sculpture and more.

Some of Leapenhi’s existing clientele have expressed concern about what will happen to their favourite creativity centre once the new South Hollow location opens. Many have been regularly coming to the store and attending weekly art workshops for years. The new owners are confident these people will be happy with what they’ll find in the transformed Leapenhi venue.

“The new South Hollow store will retain everything you’ve come to enjoy about Leapenhi, including the exquisite handcrafted papers and fun-oriented art workshops,” said Taylor. “Pam and I just want to make a great thing even better.”

While the new owners are preparing to move, the south Courtenay location of South Hollow Art Studio & Gallery at 3030 Kilpatrick Ave. will be closed to the public and will be only open for viewing by appointment.

— South Hollow Art Studio & Gallery