Vision

The Gallery provides the opportunity for inspiration and creativity by connecting artists and the community together through the presentation of and interaction with art. It is the goal of the Gallery to encourage the creative process of all members of the community by promoting artists and their art through shows in an accessible, inclusive setting.

Inspire. Create. Connect.

It is these three words that embody the spirit of WREN and the spirit of the Gallery. It is the goal of the gallery to:

• Inspire artists to present current work as well as create new work to be shared in the future
• Inspire community members to learn and appreciate the work of the artists and to experiment with their own artistic expression
• Create long lasting relationships between the gallery and the artists to support them in furthering their creative visions
• Create an inviting space for the community to experience and learn about art
• Create connections between the media and the art community to promote art
• Connect the community to art and to artists, artist to one another, media to the work of artists, and the North Country Community to the greater art community

Past...

The Gallery at WREN was created in the year 2000 with the presentation of art created by girls in the WINGS program, WREN's arts education program for local girls ages 10-18. The WINGS girls had created a fantastic body of work, and the desire to celebrate their creativity with the community gave rise to GirlArt, a community art show. The feedback from the GirlArt show was overwhelmingly positive, and WREN decided to continue the exchange of art between artists and the surrounding communities by creating this venue. In promoting the artistic endeavors of its members through both solo and group shows, The Gallery at WREN has been a wonderful resource for the expression of the creative process.

Present...

The Gallery at WREN is managed by a volunteer committee comprised of dedicated and talented women, many of whom are local artists in their own right. The committee operates all aspects of the Gallery including: artist solicitation, selection of artists, scheduling shows and events, performing media relations to publicize the gallery and its shows, printing promotional material, hanging the artwork, coordinating the opening event, managing the budget, and researching grants to fund its operation. The Gallery is open everyday from 10-5.

Future...

The future is very bright for the Gallery. The potential for its growth is limited only by its funding sources. The dedication of the committee, the participation of the artists, and the support of WREN gives the Gallery energy to pursue its short and long-term goals:

• To hold a call for art for the 2008 season that reaches local, regional, and national artists
• To increase the Gallery's visibility by improving the physical infrastructure and street access
• To create a web site containing information about the gallery and showcasing the work of its artists
• To advertise through regional and national channels in order to reach the larger art community
• To create and secure funding for a coordinator's position to oversee day-to-day operations and to further develop the Gallery's presence and community outreach.
• To create hands-on art education events for the community to explore their creativity