It was a dream of Kathy Bedard and Lynne Hill to display local artists' work in Prince Rupert. Both of these ladies were a part of the Hecate Strait Employment Development Society (HSEDS), and were artists themselves -- so began the pursuit of their dream.

The target date to find the people and the place to create an artists' gallery and store was May 20, 2004, when Prince Rupert's first cruise ship would dock. By 1:00 pm on May 20th the gallery was open and the Norwegian Spirit was pulling up to the newly finished dock.

What started with two artists named Kathy and Lynne has grown to over 80 artists from the North Coast region of British Columbia.

Since that first cruise ship on May 20th, 2004, there has been much growth and change in the North Coast Artists' Cooperative, also known as the Ice House Gallery. During the first season (from May-September, 2004), over 10,000 visitors came through the Gallery. In September, 2004, an Inaugural Board was elected to begin the work of establishing the Cooperative as a legal entity.

On April 1, 2005, the province granted the North Coast Artists' Co-operative legal status. We are well on our way and look forward to many more years of creativity!