Gallery celebrates 30 years

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

The East Fork artists want to share 30 years of memories and thank patrons at their 30th anniversary reception, 4-8 p.m. today, at the gallery, 1503 Highway 395, Gardnerville.

There is an exhibit of paintings from the 13 original members plus work from the current artists, refreshments and a raffle for a framed watercolor print by original East Fork member James Lawrence.

The East Fork Gallery artists' co-op was established in 1979 in response to a group of Carson Valley artists wanting a suitable place to display and sell good quality original art. They formed an association and took over the old Western Auto store in Gardnerville, where the Heritage Inn is now.

The artists in the original gallery lost much of their artwork when the gallery and next-door business Coventry Cross Thrift Shop were destroyed by an arson fire in 1995.

Eight members continued in the cooperative and reopened the East Fork in a new gallery inside the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center seven months later.

In 2000, the gallery moved to its present location in The Record-Courier building in Gardnerville.

Artwork by current gallery members and 23 consignors will be on display and refreshments will be served at the reception. Raffle tickets for the James Lawrence watercolor print are $1 each or $5 for six. Information, 782-7629.