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riental gains one more art gallery today, with the opening of the Village Gallery near the harbor. That brings to almost half a dozen the number of galleries in town.

The sign has been hanging outside the VIllage Gallery on Hodges Street for a week. Today, from 4-7p, there’s a celebration marking the official opening of the gallery.

Judy Wayland, who spearheaded the effort to open the Village Gallery, says that about 20 artists will have their work on display there. Among them are Jenny Boudreault, Jean Dexter, Nancy Miller, Marlene Miller, Manfred Rott, Betty Brown, Danny Lloyd, and Bob Miller. Most are from the area. There are a few artists from beyond the region as well.

The new Village Gallery.

Additionally, a special space is reserved every month for an artist from outside NC. The first guest artist is Marguerite Chadwick-Juner of City Island, NY, who also spends some time across the bridge from Oriental.

Wayland says she has out of state artists lined up for the next half year. (This week she was to meet with one retired surgeon who these days carves wood and totem poles. His work may be among those on display in coming months.)

Each month, one corner is dedicated to the work of a guest artist. Volunteer Pappy Khouri saw to it that Marguerite Chadwick-Juner’s paintings were in place.

The Village Gallery has been in the works since late last year. Wayland, who was director of marketing for Choice Hotels in the Washington, DC area before moving to Oriental a few years ago says she always thought the building would work well as an art gallery. When the last occupant of the space, the Dragonfly gift shop moved out a few months ago, she saw the opportunity.

A group of dedicated volunteers – including Pappy and Debra Khouri, Harry and Rosemary Cummings, Linda Baker Larry Summers, Dick Creighton and Bob Brown – transformed the space with their carpentry, painting and sewing.

Floors were redone and the walls painted. One challenge was the windows running along two of the room’s four sides. That meant there was not a lot of wall space on which to hang paintings.

Paintings hang on kiosks that allow for more hanging space than the room originally had.

The solution was several kiosks made of two-by-fours, that were covered in paint and stretched canvas. Artists paintings hang on those kiosks, which Judy says, will be turned weekly so that the artists work is shown from different perspectives. Across the windows, meanwhile, triangles of linen canvas are arranged, cutting down on glare and creating a sailing motif at the same time.

Judy Wayland, Larry Summers and Oriental artist Jean Dexter. Dexter, who is among the artists at the Village Gallery, was bringing in one more painting Wednesday afternoon.

While much of the work is paintings, there are also displays for carvings and other more three-dimensional art. They are arrayed on glass topped tables that sit atop supports also made of two-by-fours.

Some of the work is displayed on glass-topped tables.

Starting a new venture during the economic downturn might seem daunting. But Wayland says she thinks there will be people who will buy art. “People are always buying gifts,” she says. Even before opening day, a few pieces have been sold to those who’ve gotten a peek inside.

Artists whose work is on display pay a monthly fee of $50. That, she says, covers the rent, light, heat and insurance. While no commission is taken for the sale of pieces, each artist must man the gallery one day per month. Wayland says there is a waiting list of artists who want to show their work at the Village Gallery.

Artist Nancy Miller arrives with another painting.

Wayland adds that she’s also making arrangements for artists to use the front porch to do their work, which she thinks will help draw more people to the venue. Wayland she says she will welcome artists from outside the VIllage Gallery to use the porch from time to time as well. “The more,” she says, “ the merrier.”

Judy Wayland’s jewelry hangs in a case in the corner.

That might be said of Oriental in general, which now has five venues where art is shown on a regular basis. They are, Circle 10, the Station Gallery, Hodges Street Studio, the Wits End and now, The Village Gallery. A sixth gallery may be opening shortly as well.

The sailing capital of NC is becoming an arts destination as well.

The Village Gallery is at 300 Hodges Street — and will be open Wednesdays thru Sundays from 8:30a to 4:30p. The grand opening open house is Friday April 3rd from 4-7pm.

Posted Friday April 3, 2009 by Melinda Penkava