16 Main celebrating anniversary
BY GREGG L. PARKER
16 Main Gallery is turning one year old.
Gallery artists will celebrate their first anniversary during the Holiday Open House in downtown Madison on Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“All the artists will be in house. We’ll even have three classes for visitors to watch or participate in — ‘Snowman’ watercolor painting at 10 a.m., candle making at noon and ‘Bonsai’ acrylic painting at 2 p.m.,” director Michele Lee said.
Visitors can win 10 or 20 percent off or a gift from the gallery and enjoy birthday cake, Lee said. Sarah Brewer with Click Photo Designs will photograph families or groups at no charge. Christmas decorations throughout the gallery have an ‘art’ theme with fun and unique ornaments.
Madison is “a community of creative people who haven’t had a place” for artistic expression, Lee said. “16 Main Gallery is a place to appreciate and purchase local art, learn a new style or just sit and relax for a while.”
16 Main Gallery has become the place in Madison for creativity and inspiration. “We all need that in our lives,” Lee said.
“Over the past year, we have transformed a historic home (from) a museum into a beautiful art gallery full of color and life,” Lee said. “The work has been hard and sometimes time consuming, but the public has received this new venture with open arms.”
Their major compliment occurs when anyone visits because they enjoy the gallery’s atmosphere.
During the gallery’s first year, the artists have “watched as students’ eyes light up to the world of art during classes,” Lee said. A few former residents have visited and shared funny anecdotes. “Mostly, we’ve enjoyed getting to know each other as people and inspiring each other as artists.”
Artists are juried into the gallery. Current artists are Angela True, Lisa Riccardi, RM Birdsong, Ned Corron, Lisa Weir, Kristy and Andy Stewart, Sarah Brewer, Michele and Greg Lee and Tisa Womack.
For more information, call 256-325-0161, send email to info@16maingallery.com or visit 16maingallery.com.