If John Hunsberger had his way, the Arlington Bridge would be renamed the Artlington Bridge.

Hunsberger  is the owner of Artlington Studios, an art gallery and studio located at 618 Arlington St. near Sargent Avenue. He says a big part of his decision to open a studio in the neighbourhood last year was its thriving arts scene.

"The area is a great one for artists," he says.

Hunsberger, who works as a real estate broker, says a number of artists have moved into the area as a result of developers turning their former Exchange District studios into condominiums.

"Artists are getting out of the Exchange a little and this can fit the bill for artists looking for comfortable creative and creation space," he says.

Studio sizes range from 250 to 400 square feet. The first floor of the building has nine artist studios, all which open up onto a 1,000-sq. ft. hallway and commons area that can be used to stage shows.

The common area walls are fashioned out of a variety of materials to add an artistic flair to the décor of the building. Wooden doors, lumber, tin sheeting, stained glass and wrought-iron wheels are some of the unique items worked into the building’s interior design.

West End sculptor Jane Sim says Winnipeg’s inner-city art scene is one of the best in Canada.

Sim says studios like Artlington and the Point Douglas-based The Edge are fostering a sense of community and connectedness between artists.

"Artists can be very singular (and) studio spaces and galleries get us out of our holes and crags," she says.

Facebook.com/TheTimesWPG
Twitter: @TimesWPG

rob.brown@canstarnews.com