Tractor in Field, watercolor by Alix Travis
Coming soon to Margaretville… Alix Travis is opening the Commons Gallery in Margaretville, “a gallery for artists”, meaning an actual gallery run by and for the artist. The gallery will exhibit Travis’ work when not in use by other area artists who wish to curate a show or showcase their own work. Travis says:
“The idea grew out of frustration of my having a series of paintings that were community inspired and not having a venue where they could be shown in entirety and easily accessible to my community. The series had been exhibited beyond our area, but I wanted it here.”
The Commons Gallery is not a cooperative and will only charge reasonable rent, not commissions, allowing artists the freedom to have solo or group shows whenever they want and based on whatever subject matter they feel like exhibiting.
“Galleries frequently have a particular focus which is limiting,” says Travis. “I felt the absence in our area of an attractive space with Main Street exposure at a reasonable expenditure for local artists who wanted to show their own work, or curate a show of other’s work: that is a creative activity in itself”.
Travis states that the other real plus is that the Commons building now has several artist’s studios and is becoming a real community of artists and artist creations: a destination.
If you aren’t familiar with Alix’s work, it’s well worth it to visit her gallery. Her paintings are free, colorful, masterful. I absolutely love her work. I have a few of her watercolors and cherish them. Also in the Commons building, upstairs, is the Longyear Gallery which represents more than 20 artists. Their shows change monthly and are always interesting. There are many great artists in this area. It’s such a beautiful area it naturally attracts artists of all venues.
Thank you for spreading the word of my new gallery. I am very excited about the venture. I expect to enjoy interaction with visitors, talking about my work and look forward to seeing the work of other area artists. I am busy now painting my new sign–also a new experience for me!
Roxbury plein air painter, Dan Williams, will be showing his work during the month of November. That will be a colorful treat for the community! Alix