Longyear Gallery, an artist-run cooperative founded in 2007 by Helene and Frank Manzo, celebrated its seventh anniversary this past Saturday. Helene, who graduated from Pratt Institute with a MFA in Art, has been a member of Blue Mountain Gallery in New York City since the 1980s. Seven years ago, when she and her husband photographer Frank Manzo purchased the Commons Building in Margaretville, they thought that it would be a great idea to have an artist-run cooperative right here in the Catskills.

Seven years later most of the artists originally affiliated with the gallery are still members: Ellen Wong, Margaret Leveson, Ann Lee Fuller, Alix Travis, Tom Rapin, Ros Welchman, Patrice Lorenz and others.

The gallery has one opening reception per month: there is space dedicated to group shows, and also a bigger space for solo artists. Ann Lee Fuller’s “Storytellers” exhibit was on display this past Saturday. Fuller’s show included thirty-eight paintings – a bird as an observer in what seemed to be abstract design alluding to various moods and changes in nature. Fuller was on site last Saturday, and signed her newly released photo book based on “Storytellers” show.

Later this month Ellen Wong will open an exhibit of her newly painted plein airs called “The Road Show.” Alix Travis will have an exhibit from October 24 through November 17, and Frank Manzo from November 21 through December 15. Every year in December Longyear has a Holiday Group Show – this year the holiday reception will take place on December 20.

The gallery is open year round Friday, Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and also by appointment. For more information, visit http://www.longyeargallery.org.