Ellyn Bivin was the first artist to show her work at Northside Presbyterian Church's new art gallery, but she was quick to share the walls.
"It started out as the Centennial Hall Gallery, since it was only on the ground-floor hall downstairs," says Vera Susan Chamlee. "After doing it alone, Ellyn asked other artists to hang their work ... and just like that an idea is born to invite local artists and keep our walls decorated."
Bivin, Chamlee and Joyce Jones are the three core artists of what is now called The Northside Gallery, which has expanded to two floors with space for about 100 paintings. All are members of the 134-year-old Mississippi Avenue church.
Their responsibilities include "trying to attract artists, hang shows, promote sales and organize receptions," Chamlee says. "The idea is to get the community involved. We have succeeded in getting ourselves very involved."
Works by Bivin, Chamlee and Jones, as well as Sandra Babb, Janice Kennedy, Virginia Skipper and Julie Pistone Turner are on view through March 17. A new show will open April 1 featuring works by Mamie Bivin, Jeanne Brice, Irma Herzog, Peggy Jennings, Eva Mozingo, Evelyn Marie Williams and Faye Wolfe.
Shows will run quarterly: January-March, April-June, July-September and October-December.
"We would love for any artist interested to submit an application," Chamlee says.
The application can be found on the gallery's page on the church's website, https://northsidepresbyterian.org/the-northside-gallery/artist-application/.
Sixteen paintings have been sold from the current show. Works range from impressionism to abstract to realism in media that include pencil, oils, pastels and acrylics. Artists are asked to donate 10% of sales to support the gallery.
The gallery is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, as well as evenings, usually 5:30-7:30 p.m., for opening receptions and first Friday tours.
Chamlee calls the gallery a "win-win" outreach that benefits the artists and the church.
"Your art does get seen," she says, "and we get visitors to our church and art on our walls."
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
If you go
* Where: The Northside Gallery at Northside Presbyterian Church, 623 Mississippi Ave.* Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays* Phone: 423-266-1766* Online: https://northsidepresbyterian.org/the-northside-gallery, https://www.facebook.com/NorthsideGalleryatNPC/