Indiana's holiday season will have a creative touch this year thanks to The Artists Hand Christmas Gallery grand opening at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The Artists Hand Christmas Gallery storefront at 10 S. Seventh St. in Indiana, Pa.
All photographs taken 11/5/10 by Rose Catlos
The gallery is renting a building at 10 S. Seventh St., in Indiana until December 24, from which the organization is selling works by 30 different artists, said gallery manager Sandra Trimble. Items include paintings, photographs, collages, fiber pieces and jewelry.
The idea behind the Christmas gallery is to make a profit during the holiday season and to raise awareness about the gallery, she said. Meanwhile, the organization must accrue the remaining funds necessary to open its doors at the now-vacant 732 Philadelphia St. building, which Trimble hopes will open this year.
IUP student Natalie Corkos (left) checks out some artwork, flanked by gallery manager Sandra Trimble (center) and gallery associated artist Joy Fairbanks (right)insde the gallery.
Opening the Philadelphia Street gallery has been a two-year long process. Brian Jones, a theater and dance professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, purchased the building from Indiana Borough in October 2008, Trimble said, and she became the gallery manager in January 2008. Since then, the organization has suffered from a series of financial setbacks and other complications which are keeping the gallery's doors closed.
But what happens after December 24?
That remains to be seen. But location is no obstacle for Trimble, who is willing to rent other locations to keep the gallery afloat.
"If we have to do it," she said, "We'll be 'the moving gallery.'"
Gallery manager Sandra Trimble at the gallery grand opening Saturday.
Financing the gallery remains an obstacle, as for-profit organization grants are "scarce," Trimble said. The organization is seeking other funding avenues in the mean time, including financial gifts.
"Donations and sponsors are appreciated," said Joy Fairbanks, a photographer and one of nine "associated artists" who help run The Artists Hand Christmas Gallery.
Other associated artists include Trish Dodson, Wendy Fetterman, Jessica Green, Jolene Joyner, Nancy Laird, Greg Langham, Ron Moretti and Jonelle Summerfield.
Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Christmas gallery will officially, for now, close its doors at 3 p.m. December 24.
Photographer Joy Fairbanks (background) discusses a photograph with IUP student Natalie Corkos (foreground) Saturday at the gallery's grand opening.
And check out Indianian Mario Zucca's opening from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Horace Mann Elementary School's HME Gallery at 205 S. Fifth St. in Indiana. The exhibition, titled "The Art of Illusion," comprises "selected works of art combining hand drawing and digital elements," according to an informational postcard I picked up at the gallery. The show ends December 17.
Update (11/9/10): The names of the eight other associated artists are now included.
This is just what Indiana needs.
Mario Zucca's illustrations also are available for viewing during business hours at his parents' shop:
Angelo Zucca Custom Tailoring and Angelo's Tuxedo, 1845 Water Street, Indiana PA.
If you like R. Crumb's work, you'll admire Mario Zucca's work.
This is great building for indiana to have. I love that jewelry artists have a place to make beautiful jewelry.
lovely! I particularly liked the exhibition's title The Art of Illusion!