Grafton Art Gallery announces new grand opening date with showcase honoring veterans
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
After postponing their March grand opening, the Grafton Art Gallery has set a new date for their grand opening on Saturday, May 25, at 301 East Main Street.
Submitted photo Donna and Gene Smith have announced a grand opening date for the Grafton Art Gallery on Saturday, May 25. The grand opening showcase is titled Honor and will feature works from local artists and veterans.
The gallery’s grand opening showcase is titled Honor and has been curated featuring works by veterans and other local artists.
“We are excited to bring a new vision for honoring an art district to Grafton, offering a platform for artists to showcase their work and for art lovers to discover new talents,” gallery owner Gene Smith said in a press release. “Our grand opening exhibition will be a celebration of creativity and expression while we honor our Veterans. We invite everyone to join us for this special occasion.”
Smith told River County News in March that he and his wife Donna Smith always had the idea for a local art gallery in the back of their minds and wanted to create a space to offer young artists a chance to display their work and show more of what Grafton has to offer.
“We built this gallery with a vision for expanding the art district and having a platform for building more businesses on Main Street in Grafton,” Donna Smith, Gene’s wife, and Grafton City Councilman, said.
The Smiths said that the gallery is designed to meet audiences at the intersection of culture, patriotism, and community.
“We invite you to use the gallery as a place to find inspiration, discover new ideas, meet old friends, and make new ones. Grafton is a town that honors Veterans with the largest percentage per capita (17%) of Veterans of any city in Illinois. This gallery is committed to supporting emerging and established artists, providing a space for them to share their vision and connect with a wider audience. The gallery aims to be a cultural landmark in the community, enriching lives through art and creativity,” they said in a press release.
On their website, graftonartgallery.us, the Smiths said that the gallery will focus on pieces that honor the history of the country and work as a launch pad for aspiring artists.
“We feature work being made by local artists and veterans – focusing on pieces that honor the history of our country and allow creative expression from life experiences. Not having a permanent collection enables us to be pivotal and responsive to the global art world and the local community. This will be a gallery that serves to honor Veteran artists and act as a launch pad for aspiring new artists.”
The grand opening will provide a chance for guests to meet some of the artists featured in the Honor showcase while enjoying the different works of art and refreshments. Giveaways will also be available as well as a gift for each veteran in attendance.
“The grand opening of Grafton Art Gallery promises to be an unforgettable experience, marking the beginning of a new era in the local art scene. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of history in the making,” the Smiths said.
The gallery also plans to host regular events and workshops to enhance the local art community and create a place to foster creativity.
More information on the Grafton Art Gallery can be found online at www.graftonartgallery.us.
And what about all of the artist who were tremendously disappointed and did not have the opportunity to display their art work? There was not a good explanation. What do you have to say for us?