By Laura Hand
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 at 6:40 p.m.
Delavan Art Center has been providing space for artists' studios for 35 years---but the Labor Day Storm opened a new area of marketing Central New York Art, for the business that Bill Delavan has grown in a building that once housed manufacturing for John Deere farm equipment.
"Not only that exists a place like this," says Delavan, but that "you can get really good art without having to leave the Central New York area, and we have attempted to show it and sell it here."
The Labor Day Storm tore the roof off the front of the old building, 'in about ten seconds' says Delavan, who is still dealing with the long term effects.
Not only the roof, but the floors were soaked, as were the walls, and as they cleaned up the mess, he said 'This should be a gallery.' They'd considered it in the past, but the rebuild was the necessity that made it possible. "I almost called it the Labor Day Storm Gallery," says Delavan. It took five years to complete, and now it'svan is celebrating the five year anniversary with a grand re-opening, and a different style of showing artists' works. Some, like Fayetteville's Barbara Kellogg, say 'Number one, it's given super exposure,' and that having a venue like Delavan also encourages a higher artistic standard.
Bill Delavan sings the praises of local artists, in several mediums, and says they deserve more recognition. As the gallery reopens, he also hopes to ease the 'discomfort' that some people feel, going into an arts venue. "They don't have to fear this," he says. "They can come and enjoy the art."
Delavan Art Gallery, at 501 West Fayette Street (near West Street) is open Thursday & Friday noon-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm.
Exhibits change every couple weeks.
