Lakeport >> It’s not unusual for the Main Street Gallery to feature work by artists who have passed away, which is the case for not one, but both of May’s featured artists. Sally Lehman and Samuil Marcu were painters living here in Lake County, and when they passed, their families donated artwork from their estates to the Lake County Arts Council, the entity which oversees the gallery. Over the next month, their paintings will be hanging on the walls Lakeport art gallery.
Having spent a portion of his live living in Venice Beach, Marcu’s work heavily features the sand, waves and people of Southern California, along with impressionist landscapes of the state. Lehman’s work is more on the traditional side of things compared to Marcu’s. From her home in Upper Lake, she created scenes of the nearby landscape, as well as portraiture work.
Once the month is over, both Marcu and Lehman’s work will go into storage, to be auctioned off at the Soper Reese Theatre at a later date. Money from this auction goes directly to the Lake County Arts Council. Without those funds, the council would have a difficult time operating as it does.
Take the Main Street Gallery summer youth art camp as an example. To launch that program, the arts council distributed money to the gallery. Now, the art camp is so popular that this last year, the gallery actually made a profit.
“They helped us get something started that’s turned into a success,” said Linda Kelly of the Main Street Gallery.
Funds from the arts council go to various projects at both the Soper Reese Theatre and the Main Street Gallery. The theater is currently working to renovate their bathrooms. The gallery is in the midst of updates. There’s also the issue of rent and utilities, which the arts council pays for.
The gallery does sell paintings, and the Soper Reese sells tickets, but that isn’t nearly enough on its own. “To grow and make things better, we couldn’t do it without the arts council and the funds they help us raise,” Kelly said.
The estate auction sees many familiar faces. One man in particular has bought four paintings for his wife, who is living in a care facility with altzimer’s. He purchases work by an artist by the name of Meredith Gambel, whose paintings were donated to the arts council when she passed. She painted many images of Lake County, so this man places them in his wife’s room. She is able to recognize the scenes, and they help her recall those memories she has left.
Many times, the artist hasn’t stated in their will that they want their artwork donated to the Lake County Arts Council. It’s usually the family members choosing to do so, and the Main Street Gallery couldn’t be more appreciative.
“For the families to think of us and to know we will honor their paintings and show them in the best light that we can, to me is flattering,” Kelly said, adding that in the event of her passing, all her artwork will definitely be going to the arts council.
The Main Street Gallery will host their regular First Friday Fling artists reception this Friday from 5:30-7 p.m. The gallery is located at 325 Main St. in Lakeport. For more information call 263-6658 or visit www.LakeArts.org.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
