D owntown Oak Harbor has been home to antique shops, restaurants and bars. Oh yah, it’s also a temporary home for an art gallery.

The gallery OH-YA opened Thursday, Nov. 17, on Fidalgo Avenue, one block from Pioneer Way. The new gallery, with a name signifying Oak Harbor Young Artists, features work by art students at Oak Harbor High School.

The temporary exhibition enables the public to view students’ work.

“It makes the community more aware of what we do,” said Robert Barrett, a senior who is planning to show his paintings at the gallery. “We have talent that a lot of people don’t get to see.”

Students were busy in the days leading up to the grand opening, choosing which pieces to present and preparing the space for the opening reception. Workers recently installed partitions to hang the artwork in a building shared with the Hair Gallery.

“This is kind of very impressive,” said senior Ryan Cehas, adding that it’s amazing to see so many artistic styles shown in one place.

Jon Aesoph, an art teacher at Oak Harbor High School, said there are approximately 80 students who are eager to present their work.

One student said the prospect of publicity for their artwork is an incentive.

“It gets kids more motivated to put work into their art assignments,” said senior Elizabeth Reyes.

Aesoph said the gallery gives real-world experience.

“It’s a very authentic experience for them,” Aesoph said.

In addition to showing their artwork, students will demonstrate their artistic skills at OH-YA. And framed student artwork will be for sale.

The gallery will be open after school and on weekends. Students will operate the gallery. They will be able to count their worktime toward community service requirements needed for graduation.

Aesoph said the OH-YA’s location is temporary. The gallery can stay in its current location at least through the end of the month.

His long-term goal is to have a gallery with a permanent presence in Oak Harbor. In the past, he has approached owners of vacant storefronts for window space to display student artwork.

Cynthia Shelton, career and vocational education director at Oak Harbor High School, said she informed the Oak Harbor Education Foundation board of the need for a place for art students to display their work. She pointed out that art students attending South Whidbey schools have display space in a bookstore on the south end of the island.

She said Aesoph has been invited to present his plans during the foundation board’s January meeting. She said supplying money for expenses such as rent for a commercial spot is a significant undertaking. She hopes a community member will donate space close to downtown to display the students’ artwork.