A new art gallery held its grand opening during the Wayne Chicken Show this summer, providing new opportunities for artists at Wayne State College and the region to display and sell their work.

“This is a new gallery for WSC,” said Carolyn Albracht, assistant professor, Art & Design Dept., and owner of the Blue Cat Gallery and studio. “I have been planning to open an art gallery for quite some time.”

Albracht and her husband had operated another business at the same location for two years, but the building needed to be remodeled for the art gallery.

“I had to put in new carpet, take out a few walls, new drywall for painting, track lighting to highlight the art better, add a newly renovated classroom space for the front part of the gallery,” Albracht said. “And you have to check out the floors.”

The art gallery was created to make connections between the college community and town community, she said, by providing faculty a space for their original artwork.

“It’s a space for the Wayne community, and also a place to attract people from out of town to explore different, newly improved, renovated art,” Albracht said. “This will draw people from out of town to spend a day.”

The gallery can also be used as a studio and classroom. She will offer workshops to teach students watercolor and fused glass techniques.

“I get my art from artists I’ve known for years and new artists that I have met. There are nine total artists,” Albracht said. “I also find a lot of my work online. It’s all original artwork.”

All of the artwork is for sale, Albracht said, with work that is suitable for people with
large and small budgets, and both collectors and non-collectors.

The most expensive painting was made using hot wax and is priced at $3,200.

Glenda Drennen, an artist who attended The Blue Cat Gallery & Studio art show, is exhibiting her paintings there.

“Caroline found my website and I attended her first grand opening,” Drennen said. “I love painting as well as I love eating good food. I have been painting watercolors for 40-plus years.”

About 125 people attended the gallery opening July 7 and 8. She had about 45 pieces in the first show.

The gallery, at 114 W. 3rd Street, is open Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. The opening reception for the next show is Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.