A darkened room normally doesn’t seem too conducive to appreciating art works. But tonight (Oct. 22) the Transition Space Gallery on Main Street is turning out the lights for an innovative and intimate “Lights Out” benefit show highlighting local and emerging visual artists.

The idea for the original and atmospheric show came from gallery facilitator Andrea Mueller’s experiences during an epic power outage that affected Toronto in 2003.

“Everyone came out of their houses and went outside,” she said. “People — who normally wouldn’t take the time — were talking to each other. It was friendly. And I think it was one of the best nights most people have had living in Toronto.”

For the “Lights Out” event, the Transition Space Gallery’s windows will be blackened and the space’s lighting limited to offer a more intimate feeling.

“At the door we will be handing out key chains with flashlights on them,” Mueller said. “But it won’t be pitch black in the gallery, though.”

Many of the art works will be “self-illuminated,” she said.

“We have a diverse range of works including some sculpture, papier maché and paintings,” she said. “Where else in Whistler would you find a giant glow-in-the-dark angler fish with a light bulb in front of it?”

And as the Transition Space Gallery helps to put the spotlight on local and emerging artists, the event will raise awareness and funds for the Whistler Adaptive Ski Program (WASP).

“As soon as we came up with the initial concept of ‘Lights Out,’ the idea of vision loss also immediately sprang to mind,” she said. “So the basis was to bring together a couple of different communities — artists and athletes, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to athletes with vision loss.”

Lights Out also features a silent auction, food and drinks, plus a DJ to complete the intimate feel of the event.

About 18 artists are featured at the event, and Mueller said they’ve all done most of the work for the show.

“All the artists have really helped out with the planning and details of the event,” she said. “They’ve done poster work, sourced donations, organized appetizers and written media releases for the work. It’s been amazing.”

The Transition Art Gallery opened a year and a half ago in a spot once occupied by a dollar store on Main Street.

“We were lucky to have this space donated to us,” Mueller said. “Having a place specifically for showcasing local emerging artists is something the town definitely needs.”

However, in a few short months the space currently occupied by the Transition space will be needed during the 2010 Games, so the gallery only has a few months left at its current location.

“We will see what happens after the Olympics,” said Mueller.

In the meantime, gallery lovers can experience an art show with a twist tonight at the Transition Space beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation.