The Olde Town Gallery and Studio, a vibrant space for the Conyers arts community and crown jewel of Olde Town,  celebrates its grand reopening today, Saturday, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. with a show of art by local teachers.

The Gallery, which closed for reorganization back in December 2011 will be open just on Friday and Saturday afternoons at first and run by volunteers.

John Nix, Chairman of the Board for the nonprofit gallery said, “We have spent significant time and energy in planning how we will operate going forward and planning out the upcoming art shows. Many supporters have reminded us how important the Gallery is to Olde Town as a stimulus for community and economic development. We truly appreciate the great support provided by many individuals in the community, and look forward to our reopening.”

The Gallery will continue its special emphasis on children and will focus on being a community institution, according to board member Sue Chappell.

"Community is a much stronger word in our mission now," said Chappell.

The gallery hosts annual art shows for the Rockdale County School System, and the Eastminster School and Peachtree Academy, both of Conyers. They will also continue to provide services for special needs populations. The Gallery provides a pottery class for “I Sign For You,” a program providing activities for those with special needs and the hard of hearing population. They will host summer art classes for the ASPIRE program that provides activities for individuals with disabilities.

Greta Beech, Board member and teaching artist, said, “Our new mission is ‘Through our exhibitions, activities, and events, we aim to provide learning opportunities for all ages and abilities in an inviting environment that will foster the arts in our community.’ We have scheduled shows now through the Fall, one per month, and coordinated with the Olde Town Summer Music Fest. We look forward to once again being an active draw to Olde Town while meeting the art education needs of the Conyers and Rockdale community.”

"'School’s Out!' is a great idea that was recommended by several local art teachers and a team of them are helping us get under way,” said Beech.

The “School’s Out” show opening reception will be on Saturday, June 16 from 4 to 8 pm, in conjunction with the Olde Town Summer Music Fest. Additional show days and hours include June 15, 22, 23, 29, and 30, all from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Katie King, Art Instructor at Davis Middle School is chairing this show. “We would like to invite all our fellow teachers and our students to come out and see our art. We will be showing the work of art teachers of course, but there are several additional people from the System who you might never expect to be so artistically accomplished,” said King. 

The Gallery is also soliciting submissions for a “Pin Ups Show” in July.

Despite the racy name, this Pin Ups Show is not the kind associated with bikers, sailors and cars, but rather is for any art that can be pinned to a bulletin board or hung on a refrigerator, any medium; all ages and all abilities welcome. Artists are welcome to submit more than one piece. The work cannot require more space than a 4-foot by 6-foot bulletin board.

Email photos (no larger file than 10 MB) and description of artwork to be submitted for consideration to chappellgroup@mindspring.com no later than June 30, 2012. Please put “Pin Up Show” in the subject line of your submission email.

The Gallery will feature a different show every month, with the Gallery open mostly 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. on the last three Fridays and Saturdays of the month. During the days coinciding with the Olde Town Summer Music Festival, the Gallery will open 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Pin Ups Show will open July 13. The show theme for August is to be announced. In September, the Gallery will feature works by artists who masquerade by day as local leaders. The show for October is to be announced.

To volunteer with the Gallery or for more information, contact board member Sue Chappell at chappellgroup@mindspring.com or 770-363-0217.