Where Art Lives and Breathes in Unexpected Ways
Every thriving arts scene has its champions,and in Victoria, one of the most passionate began as a young outsider. Joe Bembridge knows firsthand what it means to crave belonging in the art world. Today, as the owner and curator of Gallery Merrick, he has turned that personal history into a cultural landmark that uplifts artists and invites the community into meaningful dialogue with contemporary art.
Set inside a 120-year-old heritage building on Government Street, the gallery is where past and present meet. High ceilings, natural light, and thoughtful design give the space an elegance that feels at once historic and refreshingly modern. Yet, beyond the architecture, what makes Gallery Merrick special is the atmosphere of warmth and openness Joe has cultivated. The gallery is named for his late friend, Merrick Sheridan, who once offered him unwavering encouragement when he needed it most. In Joe’s words, the space is “a love letter to her,” carrying forward her spirit of protection and empowerment into every exhibition, every conversation, every artist welcomed through its doors.
The gallery’s collection is as eclectic as it is intentional. Wandering through its rooms, visitors find themselves moving between moods, techniques, and perspectives. No two experiences are alike. This sense of discovery is what sets Gallery Merrick apart—art here is not just hung on walls, it lives and breathes in unexpected ways.
Among the artists who have found a home at the gallery are two Canadian voices who represent both range and resonance. Vancouver’s Deborah Bakos creates multimedia works that move seamlessly across painting, photography, textiles, and installation. Her art is a study in dualities—hope and despair, justice and injustice, the known and the unknown. Deeply human and often vulnerable, her pieces invite reflection on the emotional landscapes we all navigate.
In a different register, Nicholas Tay brings a layered exploration of identity, migration, and cultural memory. Born in 1977 to Singaporean-Chinese parents, Tay uses figuration to probe the nuances of diaspora life. His drawings, paintings, and photographs often juxtapose stark monochrome figures with bursts of colour, floral motifs, or loose abstraction—a tension that captures the push and pull of belonging. His subjects, from migrant workers at rest to queer couples claiming visibility, embody tenderness as a radical gesture. By giving form to stories often overlooked or simplified, Tay resists stereotype and sentimentality, instead inviting viewers into a space of empathy and recognition.
Together, these artists embody the gallery’s mission: to give space to diverse voices and to nurture art that is felt as much as it is seen. For visitors, a stop at Gallery Merrick is never passive—it is an exchange, a chance to engage with living artists and to leave inspired.
More than an exhibition space, Gallery Merrick is a place of belonging and conversation. It stands proudly at the intersection of heritage and innovation, helping to shape Victoria’s cultural landscape with a vision rooted in authenticity, encouragement, and connection.