Uptown Downtown Gallery prepares to open in Downtown Rockwall

L to R: Local artists H. Doug Agee, Joetta Currie, and Nancy and James Kuntz are working to transform the KE Cellars Winery facility into the new Uptown Downtown Art Gallery and Studio, and hope to host the grand opening by the end of February or early March. Photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

ROCKWALL, TX (Feb. 9, 2015) Artists and art lovers from around the Rockwall community will soon see a brand new, one-of-a-kind art gallery come to town, featuring artwork from several of Rockwall’s finest artists.

This original work of art by H. Doug Agee captures the natural beauty of a Texas day.

Local artists H. Doug Agee, Bob Chilton, Joetta Currie, Betty Hoaglund, and James and Nancy Kuntz have been busy putting paint to brush (and nails to wood, for that matter) as they look to transform the facility that was KE Cellars Winery into the Uptown Downtown Art Gallery and Studio.

"Stevie" acrylic by Betty Hoaglund

Hoaglund said the new art gallery came about after speaking with Jennifer Norman, owner of KE Cellars, who graciously agreed to pass on the facility to the artists.

Oranges in a Blue Bowl, by Joetta Currie, is a 24"x24" mosaic created in stained glass.

The gallery, located at 301 North San Jacinto, will feature unique art from the above mentioned artists as well as guest artists each week. Folks can expect displays with a wide variety of artwork, from Currie’s beautifully executed mosaics depicting the organic nature of life to Chilton’s photographic seascapes, portraits and sports images.

The artists are currently hard at work renovating the facility and hope to open to the public by the end of February.

Workshops and classes will also be held at the gallery for students and artists around the region to come perfect their craft.

Photograph by Bob Chilton, "Texas Cotton Gin"

“We hope to bring quality art education that will teach kids artistic techniques beyond that which they learn in school,” Currie said. “Rockwall is such a vibrant art community and we hope that with the Uptown Downtown gallery people will take more notice of that.”

Hoaglund said they have plans to exhibit art shows featuring works from students of Pullen and Rochell Elementary, as well as an art / wine tour where guests can browse the art and sample varieties of wine.

To learn more about the upcoming gallery and the artists behind it, visit uptowndowntowngallery.com.

Visit their facebook page here. 

Story and photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. 

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