Do you have a third place?
In sociology, a third place is any space outside the home (first place) or work (second place) that supports an individual’s well-being. Third places foster connection with others or within oneself and are typically free or low-barrier for entry. From gyms and cafes to libraries, parks, and community centers, third places are as diverse as the people who use them. They reflect personal interests and offer opportunities to recharge, socialize, or enjoy time in a welcoming environment.
A new Third Place opened last spring in the Exchange District, and the MacDougall sisters hope it will become yours. The Third Place is a multipurpose warehouse that Alana, Jane, and Sydney have designed into the space of their dreams. Equal parts pottery studio, art gallery, and yoga and wellness hub, it’s here to create community with art and wellness at the forefront.
The Third Place is a family operation and a childhood dream realized for Alana, Jane, and Sydney. “We’ve talked about having a space like this for so long,” says Sydney, recalling high school conversations about creating their own studio. It’s an idea that has always been in the back of their minds when recently coincidence (or fate) brought all three sisters back to Winnipeg after years apart living abroad. Inspired to start rebuilding their community in Winnipeg, Jane began hosting art nights at her apartment. Size was a constraint, so the sisters kept tabs on available buildings and sought a studio space. When they found the warehouse space on King Street, something clicked, and they started working to make their dreams a reality.
To transform the dusty warehouse space into The Third Place was truly a labour of love. The sisters and their family dedicated countless hours to cleaning, painting, and vacuuming the space. It gave them a place to be after work and a meaningful project to focus on during the long winter months. “It slowly started to become even then what it is now for us — which really is this third place,” shares Sydney.
Now, The Third Place feels like a space full of possibility. The sprawling floor plan leaves room for a dedicated yoga space, an office, art tables, a gallery, and so much room to create. Its bright, open windows highlight the high ceilings and classic heritage details. It’s the perfect place to host events and build community, which is precisely their mission. “Part of our ethos is to have a place where people can connect and feel a sense of community,” Alana shares. “It’s what we were seeking when we moved back to Winnipeg, and then the pandemic hit.” In that spirit, The Third Place offers a range of programming to bring people together.
The programming at The Third Place reflects the sister’s passions, with each bringing their own expertise. Alana, a multidisciplinary artist and teacher, leads art workshops, including monthly ceramics classes and a weekly “Bring-Your-Own-Art” night every Wednesday. The event is free and draws a wide range of creatives, from those working on sewing projects to collages to poetry. As an artist herself, Alana is passionate about creating a community around creativity. “I love to make art adjacent to other artists. I find that really motivating and inspiring,” she says. BYOA Wednesdays has the double function of being a place to connect with like-minded people and a studio accountability tool. While art is often individual work, it was important to her to create space for people to work on art projects together.
Yoga and wellness are other areas of focus at The Third Place, which Jane, a yoga instructor, passionately champions. Every Tuesday at 7pm, Jane teaches a slow flow yoga class, though her philosophy is that “you are your best teacher.” In her classes, there’s always an invitation to move in a way that feels best for your body. Jane is an intuitive teacher, often tailoring her lessons to align with the energy of the season or time of day. Her offerings are accessible and beginner-friendly, including a series called “The First Class,” designed for newcomers. The atmosphere created at The Third Place invites a sort of self-exploration that is welcoming and unintimidating.
The Third Place also hosts special events, including programming on First Fridays and during major events like Nuit Blanche, which are often free of charge. Sydney plays a key organizational role here, managing programming, day-to-day operations, and space bookings. A communicator at heart, she focuses on social media, idea generation, event planning, and overall support to ensure The Third Place runs smoothly.
“People ask us, ‘What is this place?’ but it’s not finished, and I don’t know that it ever will be. It’s something that is always growing and changing, adapting and responding to the community.”
The programming has lent itself to their goal of creating community in a meaningful way. With much of it freeJane recalls a recent art night where two attendees shared that they had initially met at a previous event hosted at the space. “That’s a full circle moment for us,” she reflects. They’ve also felt embraced by the Exchange District community, from neighbours donating supplies to collaborations with local bands and friendships with fellow business owners. They feel at home here, in the arts and culture hub of the city. “The Exchange District is the only place that The Third Place makes sense,” Sydney shares, “I couldn’t picture it working anywhere else.”
With nearly a year under their belts, The Third Place has grown a lot and is looking forward to continued evolution. With so much going on and so much possible, The Third Place is a space that defies definition — and that’s the point. “People ask us, ‘What is this place?’ but it’s not finished, and I don’t know that it ever will be. It’s something that is always growing and changing, adapting and responding to the community,” Sydney explains. The sisters are looking forward to the community continuing to grow with them.
Stop by The Third Place for Yoga on Tuesdays, BYOA on Wednesdays, First Fridays, or one of their other special events.
66 King Street, 4th floor
@thethirdplacewinnipeg
https://thethirdplacewinnipeg.com/