The Kimoto Gallery announced today that it will be closing at the end of the week.

The small gallery located at 1525 West 6^th Avenue will shutter on Saturday (June 29), at the end of its latest exhibition, The Summer Group Show, featuring colourful, pop-inflected paintings such as Vancouverite Will Rafuse's canvases depicting vintage neon signs like The Astoria Hotel and The Hotel Empress, as well as locally based, Edinburgh-born artist Jeff Wilson's playfully vibrant chip bags and noodle packages.

The decision came as a result of a major construction project scheduled across the street, which the owners fear would halt business and traffic in the area.

The Kimoto Gallery is owned and operated by husband-and-wife artist team Katsumi and Jiali Kimoto, who showcase and sell  original artwork and photography by local and national Canadian artists. They are unsure if the gallery will reopen, but will continue to work as private and corporate art consultants.

Over the years, the gallery has served as a showcase for artists including Veronica Plewman, Trevor Philips, Lori Motokado, David Wilson, and Michael Soltis, as well as for Katsumi Kimoto's own paintings.

“It has been a real pleasure to work with so many amazing clients and collections over the past six years through Kimoto Gallery,” said Katsumi Kimoto in a press release today. “We are also very proud of the over 70 exhibitions we’ve hosted and all the work we’ve done with so many talented local artists.”

Customers wishing to view or purchase any of the art before it closes may visit the gallery until June 29, or arrange private viewings until July 15.