The WV Fine Artisans Gallery in Lewisburg is set to debut on Friday, June 3, with a gala reception from 5-9 p.m., as part of the city’s First Friday events.
After a month of preparation, the gallery space at 951 West Washington Street, across from Lewisburg City Hall, is filling with art and fine crafts created by local artists and artisans.
“We call this a pop-up gallery because it will operate only for six months,” says gallery manager Merideth Young. “It’s designed to give visitors and locals access to the work of some of the talented people in our area. There’s a great mix of mediums and styles to choose from – everything from paintings and sculpture to pottery, quilts, wood-working and jewelry.”
Making art accessible is an important mission of the gallery. One of the shop’s large windows contains a studio space where artists will be working and demonstrating their skills for the public. Classes will be offered to the public throughout the summer and fall in a room adjacent to the gallery. Currently scheduled is a watercolor class to be held on five Saturdays from June to August. Taught by Jeanne Brenneman, the class will be an informal critique/work session designed to help students address their painting problems and progress to the next level.
Students may subscribe to all five sessions or pay at the door for individual sessions. Detailed information and registration will be available at the gallery or through Brenneman at 304-645-3050, or bjbrenneman@gmail.com.
Rose Dobbins, a pastel artist, is working on a schedule for classes as well. Dobbins is the chair of the education committee and invites other area artists to consider holding a class in their medium at the gallery. She can be reached at 304-647-4104 or rosiemarie@yahoo.com.
Gallery hours of operation will be Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with additional hours on First Fridays from 5-9 p.m.
