Art hangs on the walls of the new ARTrails Gallery, a "pop-up" art studio featuring local artists.
The ARTrails Gallery in downtown Centralia will be open through Dec. 31. It's located at 209 N. Tower Avenue.
Ceramic bowls, woodcrafted items and paintings are just some of the artwork that can be found at the new ARTrais “pop-up” gallery in downtown Centralia.
In its 14th year, ARTrails has opened the gallery to help local artists get more exposure and create what volunteers hope will be a popular destination. It also features items of work for sale, perfect for the upcoming holiday season, volunteers said.
The gallery opened quietly last Saturday and has 16 artists from the greater Lewis County area on display.
Although ARTrails once had a gallery at the Wilson Hotel during its first year, it was not nearly as large as the one located at 209 N. Tower Avenue.
“Centralia needed an art gallery,” volunteer Jane Nontell said, adding that storefronts that feature pop-up galleries rent or sell 30 percent faster than if they were to sit empty.
Artist and volunteer at the studio Carlene Salazar said the gallery helps make Centralia more of a “destination place.”
The building was donated by Sue and Dave Horwath for the use of the gallery.
A portion of the proceeds go to support ARTrails September shows and studio tours, while the rest goes back to the artists themselves.
Nontell said art complements the many antique dealers in the area while bringing something new and exciting to the city.
The studio is operated solely through volunteer power and will be open till the end of the year.
“It’s been wonderful,” Nontell said. “We have some amazing art and some amazing artists.”
All the items on display are currently for sale, and Salazar said there is something for everyone.
Prices vary greatly from $3 to $3,000.
According to the volunteers, Centralia and the surrounding area is a great place to create art and join with like-minded, creative artists.
“You don’t realize what a large number of amazing artists we have in greater Lewis County,” Nontell said.
Nontell has been part of ARTrails for 13 years and works with ceramics and enamel. Salazar on the other hand, is in her first year of ARTrails and is primarily a painter and photographer. Both of their work is on display at the gallery.
Although already open, the gallery will hold a semi-grand opening Saturday.
The gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will stay open late on Thursdays until 8 p.m. It will remain open until Dec. 29, and will be closed on Christmas weekend, Dec. 25 through Dec. 27.
For more information, visit “ARTrails of SWW,” on Facebook, or go to their website at www.artrailsofsww.org.
