Sean Pearce
Mary Ventrella, owner of Gallery of Pottery and Fine Art on Main Street, developed the idea to open the co-operative gallery during her recovery from the Separated Pubic Symphysis she developed while delivering her third child.
Newmarket
September 06, 2008 09:52 PM
By: Sean Pearce
A new gallery in the heart of Newmarket is giving local talent some space to shine.
The newly opening Gallery of Pottery and Fine Art on Main Street is the brain-child of King resident and artist Mary Ventrella. Ms Ventrella said she developed the idea to open the co-operative gallery during her recovery from the Separated Pubic Symphysis she developed while delivering her third child.
“When I was delivering, my legs fell off,” she said. “I’ve had seven months to think ‘What am I going to do for me, because I can’t sit for long, stand for long or walk for long?’ I decided that a collaborative effort would be best and that there must be other artists out there who’d like a chance to show their work.”
With that in mind, Ms Ventrella took the mantra, ‘If you build it they will come’ to heart and began working toward getting gallery space and settled on Newmarket’s Main Street. She and her husband/gallery co-owner, John DeAngelis, then got the gallery ready for artists and, thankfully, they have indeed come.
“I’ve met some great people and they are all really gifted, talented artists and they all work in different media,” Ms Ventrella said. “I really wanted that.”
Another big plus to the gallery is the collaborative and co-operative aspect. All of the artists it houses pay rent and help in various ways to keep it up and running. It’s a real team effort, Ms Ventrella said.
“It really is a collaborative effort,” she said. “We have about a dozen artists now, but it can get as large as the artists would like to make it or it can stay as small as they would like to keep it; it’s really up to them.”
One of the artists connected with the studio, Sterling Comrie, said his decision to get involved in the gallery was practically fated. When the opportunity presented itself, the local resident, who happens to be the world’s first and only shadow carver, jumped at the chance.
“My studio is actually at the back of this building,” he said. “John and Mary were familiar with my work and told me about the gallery and now all I have to do is walk out the back of my studio and here I am.”
“It was meant to be,” Ms Ventrella added, with a laugh.
Similarly, other local artists have also been drawn to the gallery, including photographer Don Sprung and spray-paint artist Mike Pace. Mr. Pace, who began with graffiti, said the gallery is perfectly located for him.
“This is great for me,” he said. “It let’s me show my work right here in Newmarket.”
Ms Ventrella said she’s glad her idea is catching on with the local art scene and adds she couldn’t be more grateful for the support of her husband and three children.
She can’t wait for the gallery to open and get up and running.
The Gallery of Pottery and Fine Art is at 225 Main St. in Newmarket and will have a grand opening to the public Sept. 20 and kicks of at 9 a.m. For information, e-mail
starview1@hotmail.com