Ottawa-based artist opens new studio in Charlottetown

by Nash Alonto 

March 8, 2024 

Christopher Griffin is an artist from Ottawa, Ont., and has been on P.E.I. since September of last year. He recently opened his new art studio at 49 Pownal St. in Charlottetown on Thurs., March 7, 2024. (photo by Nash Alonto)

Christopher Griffin was at an art show in Ottawa, Ont. last year, when he met a woman from the Island named Sunny Hartwig.  

Hartwig was on a sabbatical in Ottawa at the time. They fell in love and convinced him to move to P.E.I. two months later.  

Now, eight months later, Griffin opened a new art studio in Charlottetown. 

“It’s my first time on P.E.I., so it’s new, which is an exciting change and it’s a new adventure,” he said. 

His work includes oil paintings and small stone carvings of animals hung on the walls and windows of his studio, as well as a small black sculpture of an elephant. 

Christopher Griffin (right) showing off one of his paintings titled “Heart of the Ocean” during the opening of his new art studio at 49 Pownal St. in Charlottetown on Thurs., March 7, 2024. The painting was already sold for $12,000. (photo by Nash Alonto)

This is his second art studio and gallery, as well as his primary location. His second studio is in Ottawa. 

The grand opening was held on Thurs., March 7, 2024. 20 people attended the event, despite freezing rain. 

“The weather’s been so horrible, people have come anyway. That’s fantastic,” Griffin said. 

The studio’s grand opening came out as fantastic, said Charlottetown resident Frank Hale, who attended the event. 

Charlottetown resident Frank Hale is one of 20 people who attended the grand opening of the art studio of Ottawa-based artist Christopher Griffin at 49 Pownal St. in Charlottetown on Thurs., March 7, 2024. (photo by Nash Alonto)

“I’m impressed that an artist would come here, rent a space, and show his art, and I thought ‘that takes guts’,” Hale said. 

“Most artists always go to a gallery, and the gallery will show the art, and take the talent fee and commission, but for you to rent a space and put your own art in it, you have to have a lot of confidence.” 

With the successful opening of his studio, Griffin said he is looking forward to creating more art to keep his new studio going.