Rocky Mount gallery gives space to art

The Artisan Center Along the Crooked Road brings local artists in contact with both local customers and tourists exploring Virginia’s musical heritage.
By Janelle Rucker
981-3159

Photos by Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times

Rocky Mount resident Malisa Quintanilla looks over artwork by Aleen Wilson of Martinsville at The Artisan Center Along the Crooked Road. The artisan center, Rocky Mount’s first downtown art gallery, features artwork from local artists and will also serve as a visitor center for the town.

The Artisan Center in Rocky Mount displays the work of about 50 artists from the surrounding area. The center’s goal is to give the local artists some exposure to the public and perhaps make enough to continue to pursue their art.

Mary Wray does not charge the artists to display their work but does take a percentage on sales.
ROCKY MOUNT — For years, Johnny Bowman displayed his watercolor paintings in Roanoke and places other than the Franklin County town he calls home.

However, since last week’s opening of The Artisan Center Along the Crooked Road on Franklin Street, he doesn’t have to drive far to display his art or to see the works of other local artists.

“It’s nice to show in your hometown,” he said.

The two-story gallery houses the work of more than 50 artists from Rocky Mount, Martinsville, Floyd and surrounding areas.

Formerly Trendz hair salon, the building, owned by Mary Wray, lost its sinks and hair dryers for paintings, sculptures, jewelry and mixed-media art.

The walls and table space are crowded with original pieces that are also for sale.

A rarity in the art world, Wray isn’t charging artists to display their art. When sold, a percentage of the price of the art goes to the gallery.

“Our hope is to make enough money to keep the center open,” Wray said. “We just want to give these people a presence.”

All of the renovations and operating expenses so far have been a personal investment of Wray and her husband, James.

Nancy Clark and Lynn Berry traveled from Martinsville to display their art in the gallery Friday.

“This is a class act,” said Berry, who works with copper foil and solder. She and Clark, whose work features warm glass, also belong to the artisan center at Patrick Henry Community College.

Not having to pay to display her art fits well into Clark’s goal.

“This is just a hobby,” she said. “I just want to sell enough that I can continue to buy glass. I don’t plan on making a fortune.”

The gallery is the first of its kind and fits well with the potential arts and cultural district the town is considering, Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins said.

Another art gallery, The Grainery, is scheduled to open near the artisan center next month.

“It’s what we want to encourage and develop,” he said. “It will help the town become a destination for shoppers who are looking for that kind of thing. The greater the variety, the more people you cater to.”

Wray and her husband also own the neighboring antique store.

“If we draw people to this, it will benefit my other business and the restaurants,” Wray said. “We want to make this a little destination spot.”

The gallery sits on the eastern portion of the Crooked Road, a music heritage trail that runs from Rocky Mount west to Dickenson County, near the Kentucky border.

Upstairs, the gallery has two small rooms where artists can offer classes and demonstrations.

Eventually, Wray said, she hopes to have monthly events in the gallery as well.

The gallery will also house a welcome center for the town, with pamphlets, books and Rocky Mount-themed novelty items.

That will not replace the town-run welcome center in the old train depot about a block away, Hankins said. Town officials are waiting to see if Franklin County Chamber of Commerce members will reorganize and reopen after their closure in August. If they don’t, Hankins said the town will try to find another group to run the welcome center.