C.R. McClenning Studios brings art back to downtown Mt. Pleasant

MT. PLEASANT — Under the ownership of Chuck McClenning, the former Main Street Art Center in downtown Mt. Pleasant once again welcomes artists and patrons of the arts to C.R. McClenning Studios.

McClenning recently moved his shop from New London into the space formerly occupied by Mt. Pleasant Main Street Art Center following its closing, this year.

According to McClenning he served on the board prior to the closing, and wanted to ensure that artists still had a space to show their work.

“I decided to take it over and it took me six weeks to move everything over and paint,” he said.

While the gallery only opened this month, McClenning said he has already seen a decent amount of foot traffic.

“They're really coming in and they're really happy it's here, because they love the art thing,” McClenning said. “I think a number of people were disappointed when the original art gallery closed because they liked coming and seeing the different artists.”

While the front of the gallery currently houses mostly McClenning’s work, he anticipates adding more work from local artists, and plans to continue monthly art exhibits in the middle section of the space.

“I'm here to showcase these people in town or in the surrounding areas or whatever it might be,” he said.

McClenning hopes to add more variety to the exhibits including featuring an artist that using unique material to showcase his paintings.

“He's an amazing painter,” McClenning said. “And I asked him, ‘how would you like to do it?’ He says ‘yes, but I do like, I paint on other things, like a surfboard and stuff like that.’ So, I told him to bring them!”

While C.R. McClenning Studios still is establishing what exactly the gallery will look like, McClenning anticipates offering a variety of exhibits and classes.

He has already decided that every first Thursday of the month he will continue the tradition of welcoming the new exhibiting artist with a meet the artist event.

Next month, McClenning is excited to welcome Deb Scott, a former teacher at New London, to display her artwork in the gallery.

“She's just so genuine,” he said of his upcoming artist. “Hers are more sculptures, so they're not paintings, but it'll be like a lady's head. She's got this look on her face, and she'll have curlers in her hair that she's made, you know, and she's holding something. You’ll just look at [the sculpture] and you’ll know what this lady's thinking.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com