In 1974, 12 artists gathered and decided to open a gallery. Forty years and a couple of locations later, the gallery’s doors are still open.
In-Town Gallery on Frazier Avenue recently celebrated its milestone 40th anniversary with former and current members and lots of friends at its First Friday opening reception.
From the beginning, the gallery co-op has operated on a membership basis in which applicants’ work is juried and carefully selected. Each member of the gallery takes a turn working in the shop, said In-Town President Virginia Webb.
Over the years, membership has grown to 36 artists.
“That number varies from time to time, depending on artists who come and go,” explained Webb, adding that the gallery displays all types of art, including paintings, wood art, metal and stone sculptures, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, photography and more.
“Every six months the gallery is full of brand-new work,” Webb said. “We have very high standards. It’s hard to get in. When you combine [those], that really is the success of the gallery.”
The gallery was founded in a shop in the lobby of the Read House Hotel, she said, before the co-op outgrew it after a decade and then moved to a space on Cherry Street for another 10-12 years.
Finally, the gallery settled at its current location on Frazier.
“They moved to Frazier Avenue before it was cool,” joked Webb.
The gallery’s longest-tenured member – Jane Yelliot, who joined in 1977 – passed away just last year, making Eleanor Goodson the longest-tenured member, Webb said. Goodson joined in 1999.
In-Town Gallery is located at 26A Frazier Ave. Find out more at intowngallery.com.