While Durbin Days Heritage Festival was in full swing last week, the Durbin Art Gallery celebrated its grand opening with an open house.
The gallery is the newest addition to the Pocahontas County Arts Council family of cooperatives and studios. Located in the former Lizzy Folks/Hiner/Findley/Proud Building on Main Street, the gallery is home to high-end artwork and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Arts council member Cynthia Gurreri said she hopes the gallery will become the first of many art related stops for visitors to the area.
“What I’d really like to see us do is higher-end art and then draw people into the county to go visit our other co-ops and galleries and studios throughout the county,” she said. “I would ultimately like this to be stop one on the artist trail. I believe we have the potential. I believe we have the artists and artisans in Pocahontas County that if we can figure out how to promote it properly, we can make a dent in the economy of this county with our artists and artisans.”
Along with the art and visitor information, Gurreri said she plans to continue to offer classes at the gallery.
“I have a program that is running into August and then I will do my fall classes with the kids,” she said.
The gallery/visitors center is open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com
