McKinney, TX -- The art scene in McKinney, Texas, has changed considerably in the past 25 years, as witnessed by the artist-owners at the Garret Art Gallery, a mainstay on the city’s downtown square.
When the Garret Art Gallery opened in historic downtown McKinney in 1985, the clientele of the new gallery had more traditional tastes in their art.
“People in McKinney didn’t want much in the way of abstract art,” said Gail Delger, one of the Garret Gallery’s five owners. “But now, everybody seems to like something different. We offer all kinds of art, and have customers from all over the country. In fact, we have more customers from outside our zip codes than actually live in McKinney.”
Originally opened at 201-1/2 E. Virginia (above what is now Chase Hall), the gallery changed size and shape over the years as it moved around the square until settling in 1996 in its current 2500 square feet at 111 E. Virginia. The original concept was much as it is now -- an art studio/gallery with five owners and a group of guest artists, all showing and selling their work at the gallery.
“I was a guest artist back then,” said Jodie Baldwin, who became one of the gallery’s five owners in 1993. “We have eight guest artists who have been with us for quite a long time. Each of the owners works in the gallery one day a week and we alternate Saturdays. The rest of the time, we’re in our studios, producing our art so we’ll have product to sell.”
Clara Stovall is the sole remaining original owner, joining Baldwin, Delger, Ginny Bitting and Babs Light in ownership duties.
The gallery sees many return customers, thanks to high quality local art offered at a reasonable price. All mediums are available at the Garret Gallery -- pastels, watercolor, oils, pottery – and the artists all do their own framing in the workshop at the back of the bright, open gallery. A classroom area near the back of the gallery stays busy throughout the week with a variety of art classes taught by some of the gallery/studio owners.
In addition to the eight regular guest artists, the gallery invites a special guest artist in each month for Second Saturday on the Square, hosting a meet-the-artist reception that evening, then featuring that artist’s work the rest of the month.
The Garret Gallery will also have an active role in the upcoming Artwalk scheduled for May 22 in downtown McKinney, featuring artists and inviting families to come in to enjoy the gallery.
“Art isn’t just for adults,” Delger said. “We know kids are interested in art, too, and want to see kids dragging their moms and dads into the gallery to enjoy it as a family.”
For more information about the Garret Gallery, visit www.garretartgallery.com or call (972) 548-9361.
Submitted by Beth Shumate, Communications Manager, at the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.VisitMcKinney.com.