Discover Artworks Gallery opens in Mayville

5/21/2006 - MAYVILLE — The latest addition to the arts community opened recently with a special Mother’s Day grand opening. Discover Artworks Gallery, 51 S. Erie St., Mayville, opened with an exhibit featuring works created by and devoted to children and families in Chautauqua County.

Discover Artworks will kick-off with the Heart Gallery photo exhibit, ‘‘Framing Faces, Finding Families,’’ organized through The Coalition of Adoption and Foster Care Agencies. The exhibit highlights and presents foster care children through professional photographs. ‘‘We are pleased to be part of this grand opening and be part of the first exhibit,’’ said Roberta Anderson, Social Services Department representative and CAFFA representative. ‘‘This is a wonderful way for the community to learn more about the needs of these special and wonderful children.’’ County Executive Greg Edwards presided over the gallery’s special ribbon cutting ceremony, issuing a proclamation naming May as Foster Care Month in Chautauqua County. ‘‘For many of the children pictured in this exhibit, this is the first time they’ve had this kind of positive attention paid to them,’’ Edwards said. ‘‘So many times our self-image is what other people tell us we are. For these young people to see themselves in this light, through professional photography, and to be celebrated for what they bring to the world, says a tremendous amount about the importance of this exhibit.’’Judge Judith Claire also was present to express her support for the gallery on behalf of CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization for which Discover Artworks and Food Is Good Inc. are hosting a nine-month fundraising campaign. ‘‘This exhibit is incredible, as it features children who are waiting for adoption and a family. To see these pictures and read about the children is so compelling and beyond words,’’ Judge Claire said. ‘‘We can’t thank you enough for the support of CASA. On the last Wednesday of each month, Food Is Good is donating a portion of their profits to CASA. This is just a phenomenal thing. I hope that the public will find out about the work Food Is Good is doing and about this special exhibit.’’Edwards also expressed his appreciation to Discover Artworks and Food Is Good Inc. for their efforts with area youth.‘‘Every time we turn around, they’re making something good happen in Chautauqua County,’’ Edwards said. “They provide the spark that gets an idea up and running, or provide resources that allow good things to happen, such as this exhibit, which combines art with families. We’re a rare community to have all this come together in this particular exhibit.’’In addition to the Heart Gallery, Discover Artworks’ May show will feature three works by Chautauqua Lake BOCES students, a series by Forestville photographer Suzette Tweedie and an exhibit to honor the late Gabriel Klau, a former CLCS student and artist. The BOCES High School classes at Chautauqua Lake Central School have created three large canvas paintings over the course of four years, with various students in Jane Lewis’ and Chris Rammacher’s classes creating the artwork. The students also made time-lapse videos of the creation of each painting. The BOCES classes have been without art instruction for the past two years. According to Rammacher and Ms. Lewis, art education in the curriculum allows students to think beyond the parameters of structure, so learning can be free flowing and creatively expressed. ‘‘We are thrilled to be a part of this community, and are very excited to provide another opportunity to promote local artists,’’ said Jane Fischer, Discover Artworks Gallery manager. ‘‘Furthermore, we feel it is both our privilege and responsibility to support our local community, its organizations, and the people of Chautauqua County. We’re proud that our opening exhibit celebrates family and shows that, indeed, the people, businesses, and organizations of Chautauqua County have heart.’’

Discover Artworks will exhibit and sell the works of local and regional artists year-round. The gallery is open daily from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 269-ARTS (2787).

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