As a way of celebrating a decade in downtown Crawfordsville, and to provide opportunities for customers to meet their favorite artists, the Athens Arts Gallery held a COVID-19-conscious open house Sunday.
Seven of the Gallery’s artists and several board members were present for the open house Sunday afternoon, which saw dozens of visitors throughout a staggered day to promote social distancing and allow for proper sanitation.
“We had to cancel our 10-year gala celebration because of (COVID-19),” Gallery Director Diane McCormick said. “To still thank the community for supporting us for 10 years, and to celebrate our decade, we decided to do it open house style. It’s also our major fundraiser.”
Tickets for the event ran for $25 each. The tickets, as well as a “10-by-10” raffle, formed the central fundraising effort for gallery members.
The funds will come in handy throughout the year, McCormick said.
“That will just help offset some of the costs, and we’re going to use it for programming,” McCormick said.
A silent auction was also featured Sunday.
The 10-by-10 raffle is set to run throughout the week. Those interested may stop by the Gallery during normal business hours through Saturday, Oct. 10.
Gallery member artists, such as Kenya Ferrand-Ott and Ellie Dieckmeyer, were on hand Sunday to meet with customers and demonstrate their media.
Ferrand-Ott could be found painting a manticore, a mythical Greek creature with the head of a man, the body of a lion and the tail of a scorpion. The inspiration for the idea came from an area taxidermist in her hometown of Greencastle, who had a stuffed lion in his shop for decades, she said.
Dieckmeyer demonstrated her use of alcohol inks for abstract pieces. The medium utilizes glossy yupo paper, which allows for colors to run rather than soak into canvas.
Due to the large size of the gallery’s interior, board members have approved a temporary closing in January to sanitize and adjust the layout to be more visitor friendly during the pandemic.
When it reopens in February, Dieckmeyer said the goal is to start up classes again.
Several Gallery members, such as Board President Linda Brady, said Sunday they are toughing out the worst of the pandemic.
“We’re all being as good as we know how to be,” she said.
Those interested in purchasing raffle tickets this week may do so during normal business hours for the nonprofit. Business hours for October are Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Gallery is open on Fridays from 1-5 p.m.
Raffle tickets cost $6 each or six for $30.
For more information, visit the Gallery at 113 N. Washington St., call 765-362-7455 or find them online at www.athensartsgallery.com.
