Cranbrook Arts Gallery

Andy and Elaine moved to Creston from Richmond, near Vancouver, B.C., in 1974, with their daughter Sandra, then four years old. They began their professional life as artists in 1968, following their graduation from the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr University) in 1967.

They mailed their tissue paper batik watercolours to stores and galleries across Canada until opening the Alfoldy Gallery along Kootenay Lake in 1982. That year, many galleries and stores closed due to high interest and inflation rates. Alongside exhibiting their work at the Alfoldy Gallery, they continued sending pieces to retail stores and galleries and expanded to include Christmas Markets in Nelson, Vernon, and Calgary. For more than 20 years, they also participated in Creston’s Images Art Show and Sale.

Since moving to Cranbrook in September 2022, Elaine has enjoyed volunteering at the Cranbrook Arts Gallery and Gift Shop. She has been a member of the West Kootenay Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists since 2000.

While Andy has retired, Elaine continues to paint—now working primarily with acrylics. Drawing from their large collection of photographs, she also creates greeting cards featuring Kootenay images, which are available for sale in Nelson, Creston, and Cranbrook.