Those of you who have “liked” my Facebook page might already have seen some of these pictures. No matter, they are worth a second look. I shot them at the Gateway Gallery and Emporium, a new spot for art in downtown New Port Richey, Florida.
Last Friday was the so-called “Sneak-Peek” opening, and the name didn’t do the evening justice. Despite Hurricane Hermine doing her best to water everyone into place, the gallery had a great turnout for its inaugural event. The exhibit is mounted in the main gallery:
The exhibit is called “People’s Choice” and visitors can fill out a ballot to vote for their favorites in several categories. Voting continues through September 28, so get down there and vote for your faves. On September 30 there will be an Award Ceremony at 6pm.
There was a table overflowing with hors d’oeuvres, including this ferocious but benign “shark”:
The featured artist changes each month, and each one gets their own opening reception.
Membership information for artists and non-artists alike is available on the gallery’s website.
Through the archway in the adjoining space is the Emporium (Gift Shop):
If you look closely you’ll see a few little pieces by me!
I’d helped move in a couple of display cases a few weeks ago, plus the gallery owner, Lauren Carr, is a good friend of mine. Therefore, I’ve been privy to the preparations all along. What a project! Lauren and her crew (Director Bobbi Armour, Curator and Studio Manager Fran McClean, and Emporium Gift Shop Manager Jill Marcus plus about a dozen more volunteers) brought this lovely little gallery into being in a matter of weeks. It’s really amazing what has been accomplished by people who want to bring art to this little town.
There’s more. In the near future, Lauren and the crew plan to open an artists’ studio space just around the corner from the gallery. In fact, the studio is part of the same building. Artists and instructors can rent space there for a more-than-reasonable fee to create art and teach others how to do what they do. If I were you, I’d contact them today to reserve space. I hear it’s going fast. You don’t have to be an artist; if you have any kind of class to teach, you can use the space. You might even see Yours Truly there, expounding on photography, cooking or what-not!
The Gateway Gallery and Emporium is located at 6216 Grand Boulevard, New Port Richey, FL 34652. Phone: (727) 815-1222. Hours of operation: Wednesday – Saturday 11am – 5pm, Sunday 12 noon – 4pm, Monday and Tuesday by appointment. Of course, the hours are extended for special events such as opening nights like this one. Parking is easy; there is plenty of street parking available plus a large parking lot behind the gallery building.
Photo for No Apparent Reason:
Nice write up♡
Hi Jill,
It’s Melissa Menzer, from Tarpon Springs long ago. I’m on Instagram
Melissamenzer_tampa_fl. My friend Marjorie Hildreth said you might
be having workshops for ARC (?) I would be interested volunteering in the
off season.
Hi, Melissa. Thanks for your post. I’ll pass your comment along to Jill at the gallery. I’m sure they’ll be happy to hear fromyou. You can visit their website at http://www.gatewaygalleryemporium.com.
Saludos. Me interesa saber que costo tienen los studio para alquiler. Gracias.
Lorraine, I’m sorry to report that this gallery has closed as a result of the Covid epidemic. It is truly missed in New Port Richey!