KINGSTON — As the seconds were counted down before 2006 clicked over to 2007, members and employees of the Kingston Art Gallery prepared to become an even larger part of the Little City by the Sea.
After opening in November 2005, the gallery’s supporters have been making its presence known in the community, and are hoping to grow even further as 2007 progresses.
“We are planning on being involved with the Downtown Kingston Association as we are right downtown,” said Kingston Art Gallery board of directors chairwoman Amy Weber, speaking about the newly formed group hoping to revitalize Kingston’s downtown area. “We are hoping that with our commitment to being involved in Kingston, the people of Kingston will be involved with us.”
With year one firmly under their belts, members of the Kingston Art Gallery are comfortable they have made themselves and their gallery well-known in Kingston. They jumped right into the community, participating in and creating their own events, all to highlight their art, much of which reflects the Little City by the Sea.
Artists from the gallery attended EcoFest on April 22, 2006 with paintbrushes blazing to involve the community in artwork for the gallery’s front walk. Residents were invited to create paving stones for the property, giving the building a personal touch from the community.
The gallery also participated in the Fourth of July festival that takes hold of Kingston every year, and hosted an art walk during the Kingston Country Christmas celebration Dec. 9.
“The art walk was a big success, and we have proposed to the studios that we do this several times during the year,” Weber said.
The Kingston Art Gallery, she said, hopes to become more than just a place for art, but a space serving as a conduit for creativity in the community. To accomplish that, the gallery is promoting its artists and shows more and more.
“We are concerned about our visibility both in people’s sight and also in their consciousness so we will find ways to be more visible,” Weber said. “We take ourselves seriously as an important addition to the Kingston scene.”
To become more prevalent in the community, she said gallery members plan to talk the venue up with visiting boaters at the marina, participate in as many Kingston events as possible, create their own events and network with local musicians.
“It is early in the planning, but we are committed to being involved in the celebrations and activities of Kingston,” Weber said of the gallery’s plans for the new year.
