Sandpiper Gallery will move to Main Street
Jennifer McBride/Leader Staff - Paul Maurer (right) helps himself to more food while Dave Marshall, Pete Daniels and Denise Zemke talk about art.
By Jennifer McBride / Leader Staff
The Sandpiper Art Gallery is hosting their last exhibition in their current location this month. The show is unthemed, but gallery director Mary Kelley said the art is more varied than ever.
"We got a really good sample," she said. Artists came out who didn't always participate in the local shows.
The artists said good-bye to their current location in the library, which needs more space for expansion. They have to be out of the building in the first week of March. Some artists wrote about the friends they've made because of the organization. The written sentiments are hung on the walls with a collection of photography, paintings and fabric art.
Luckily for local artisans, the Sandpiper has already found a new home: Alpine Tipi on Main Street. The current owner is planning on moving to the back of the store and giving the artists a reduced rent.
Kelley said she's looking forward to the move.
"It's got beautiful windows and it's a great location," she said.
With windows looking out on Main Street, Kelley hopes that the new gallery will attract more foot traffic. Though the library offered more in the way of wall and workshop space, because of their new place's mobile walls, Kelley doesn't think it will be a serious problem.
"We'll have to be a little more efficient," she said.
The show ends Mar. 1. The Sandpiper has to be out on Mar. 6. Kelley said the group is planning to celebrate their move with a parade of bagpipers and artists, each carrying something, from their old location to their new one.
The Sandpiper found their new location so quickly, Kelley wonders if the move was fated.
"It kind of feels like it's meant to be," she said.
The Sandpiper will continue offering workshops in the library until the move, including a three-day painting workshop taught by former University of Montana art professor, Marilyn Bruya.
For more information, please call 883-5956 during Gallery hours or visit the Sandpiper's website at www.sandpiperartgallery.com