County promoting local art, artists

Local art got a boost from county government this week.

Montgomery County has a new program in partnership with the Art League of Montgomery County and the Athens Art Gallery to accept donated or loaned art for display at the new Montgomery County Government Center.

“We are excited to offer our new government center as a site to display art,” John Frey, President of the Board of County Commissioners, said.

The art may be purchased from the Untitled 2.0 Art Show at Athens Art Gallery or from an artist residing in Montgomery County. The Untitled 2.0 Art Show runs until Nov. 15.

“Showcasing art by local artists at the new County government center is an honor and an opportunity” said Kathy Steele, Art League President.

The director of Athens Art Gallery, Diana McCormick, agreed. “We appreciate this opportunity to promote art in Montgomery County.“

The art may be a painting, print, photograph or fabric art. The art must be framed and ready to be hung. Outdoor sculptures will also be considered.

Interested art patrons may contact the Art League President, Kathy Steele, at ksteele1042gmail.com or (765) 362-7547, or the Athens Art Gallery at (765) 362-7455 or [email protected] to obtain a list of possible artists.

Montgomery County artists do not need to be members of the Athens Arts Gallery or the Art League. Artists may contact either group to be added to the list of possible artists.

An interested art patron that has identified a potential art piece for donation or loan to the County will need to contact Tom Klein, County Administrator, at [email protected] or (765) 362-6514. The potential art piece will be submitted to the County’s art review committee. The committee will review the art piece and will decide whether or not to accept the donation or loan.

The new County Government Center is currently under construction at the site of the former Williamsburg Nursing Home at 1580 Constitution Row and is scheduled to be open in early 2022.