The Karen Wray Gallery celebrates its Grand Opening on Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 5-7pm.

Since opening their doors in mid-December of 2016, the one comment most frequently uttered by visitors to the new Karen Wray Gallery is “I don’t remember this space being here before! What was here previously?” The truth is that the space was originally two unconnected spaces, one a windowless storage room, and the other a rather dark, oddly partitioned former computer gaming room with a maze of spaces and counters, unoccupied for years. It was hard to envision how this could be transformed into a spacious, light-filled art gallery!

Using Excel as a substitute for a space-planning tool, Karen measured and modeled the space, and arranged and rearranged the disparate spaces until a plan came together. Working with contractor Simon and Devon Bergauer of Dojo Builders, architects Steven Shaw and Laura Tietgen, electrician Patrick Connolley, the Los Alamos County, and many others, the gallery took shape. On the very first day of occupancy, Rader Awning installed the new awning sign. Karen then declared that The Karen Wray Gallery was now open.

Karen Wray, an experienced artist, instructor, and previous gallery owner has invited back several artists from her earlier gallery and has accepted numerous new local artists into the new gallery. The new gallery is focused primarily on locally inspired art and photography to showcase Los Alamos and our gorgeous surroundings, flora, fauna, our historic past, and colorful characters. The gallery will host regular solo exhibitions, in addition to group exhibitions throughout the year. For those interested in learning the fundamentals of painting, art classes will be offered later this year through the gallery.

Shannon C’ de Baca, a retired educator and big supporter of the arts, has been passionate about revitalizing our downtown, filling once unoccupied or under utilized buildings with small, local businesses that attract shoppers and tourists. The first floor building now houses, in addition to The Shannon Corporation office and a dental office, The LA Daily Post, Boomerang Consignment Shop, Atomic City Quilts and Warm Heart’s Yarn, David’s Old Fashioned Barber Shop, and now The Karen Wray Gallery. The second floor now houses: Professional Skin Care Services, Lavish Salon, Christina Claude, DOM-LMT (East Gate Acupuncture & Massage), Meridian Johnson and Jeraldine Mark (Cranio-Sacral Therapy), Jamie Silverman, LISW, and Gregory Earthell, RPP-LMT (dba Sunrise Therapeutics). With their encouragement and support, Shannon and her office have transformed the old Motor Pool Building into a bustling retail and services area within easy walking distance from the Bradbury Science Museum.

Join us Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 5-7 for the Grand Opening Celebration for the new Karen Wray Art Gallery! Enjoy refreshments, live music by local musician Richard Hannemann, and an opportunity to meet artists and friends in this lovely new gallery! The gallery is located at 1247 Central Avenue, Suite D-2, which is next to the LA Daily Post and near Boomerang and Atonic City Quilts/Warm Heart’s Yarn.

Download:   Grand Opening Celebration