Weeks after the unveiling of the city’s public statue, “Release,” Oak Harbor will gain its first major co-op art gallery, rented by 23 local artists beginning Oct. 1.
Garry Oak Gallery is the brainchild of three established painters, Margaret Livermore, Jeanne Valdez and Joan Brosnahan.
Last year, Brosnahan secured two large-sized rooms in SE Pioneer Way’s town mall and the women began “chasing down artists,” watercolorist Randy Emmons said. They looked for both specific mediums and new artists who haven’t had the needed exposure.
“Before this, the only gallery available to show in was the Penn Cove Gallery. It was frustrating, living on this end of the island,” Emmons, a two-year painter, said.
The women pooled photographers, jewelry makers, glass workers, painters, fiber artists, wood carvers, metal workers and potters. The artists agreed to pay a $200 start-up fee and split the rental costs.
Their combined vision was to construct a professional-looking, fine arts gallery. The walls are a two-tone brown color, with tract lighting and pedestals for 3-D art. Wall and floor space will be divvied up as equally as possible.
Every two months, the store will be rearranged and artists will deliver new pieces. Artists are also required to work two days a month, and the committee is considering an “artist in action” format, in which one-of-a-kind pieces are created in-store.
Based just outside of the gallery, wood carver Pat McVay will tool out large-scale sculptures and benches seven days a week.
A major benefit of a co-op gallery is the price advantage, photographer Dennis Hall said. By removing the middle-man, the commission is much lower.
“Most galleries remove 50 percent of the sale, but the co-op is only 10 percent,” Hall said. “That makes the art prices a lot cheaper for the customers.”
He added that the demand for a co-op is often a “chicken and egg” situation. Artists need to understand the market.
“When I first heard about this, I thought it was a terrific idea. The art scene is an untapped story in this city,” Hall said.
Livermore said artists are beginning to have a more visual mark in Oak Harbor, similar to other parts of Whidbey Island.
“Oak Harbor has a lot of artists but they are more hidden. In Langely, they’re much more visible. But art is beginning to have a presence here. Each time you open another gallery, it helps the community grow artistically,” Livermore said.
She hopes that in time, the group will brainstorm community-oriented events. Her ideas include inviting the college or high schools to show in the gallery or bringing in featured artists.
A grand opening party will be held Oct. 25 for artists to meet with the public, but Garry Oak Gallery will officially open its doors Oct. 1.
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The gallery is located at 830 SE Pioneer Wy.
