The Main Street Art Center celebrates grand opening

The Main Street Art Center celebrated its grand opening on Jan 4. Located at 106 S. Main St. in Mt. Pleasant, the community art center is a place for local artists to show their works.

“I wanted a place to show my artwork, and it got me to thinking that there was a lot of artists that would like a place to show their works too,” said Lorri Lee Miller, director of The Main Street Art Center. “And there were places in the surrounding area, but we didn’t have any place in Mt. Pleasant.”

“After finding out location, we sent out emails to about 70 artists in the local area to come and set up their works. We have about 80 to 90 artists now who are members,” said Miller. “It’s growing every day. Everyone that hangs their artwork in the center has to be either born or raised in the area, or they have to currently reside in southeast Iowa.”

The art center is currently on its third art showing, with more to come each month.

“Robin Fisher will be showing her pencil drawings for the month of February, and then we will have an all members show for the month of March, titled ‘New Beginnings,’” said Miller.

The center, after setting up during the fall, is now open for displaying artwork, and for workshops and classes.

The front area of the center is set up as a gift shop, where 32 local artists such as pottery makers and jewelry makers have items to sell, and the rest of the gallery is designed to feature the artist of the month.

“We have paintings, photography and other items for sale throughout the center,” said Miller. “We also offer classes, mostly on Saturdays, we close early then and have the center open to different classes for adults and children. We also have some workshops that take place randomly throughout the month.”

Miller added that the art center is currently posting its schedule on Facebook, and will have a website up soon. There will be workshops and classes in printmaking, pastel drawing and pencil drawings and more classes.