The Artist’s Loft has overlooked Main Street for almost 25 years and this will be the last Gallery Walk for William Hays’ studio and gallery.
Hays opened The Artist’s Loft Gallery and studio in June of 1990. It has been in continuous operation since that time. Although initially the gallery showed the works of a variety of artists, in 1995 the gallery began presenting only Hays’ work. He says, “After a few years of being an artist and operating a gallery with rotating shows , I became exhausted by organizing the exhibitions each month. Besides, I had enough of my own paintings to fill both rooms of the gallery.”
In 1995 Sally Fegley, Greg Worden, Patricia Long and William Hays were the originators of Gallery Walk and it has become a part of downtown Brattleboro’s fabric. Hays says, “Gallery Walk became more than I anticipated. It’s twenty plus years in operation is wonderful testimony to the vitality of the visual arts community and those who support us.” After more than 225 Gallery Walks, this will be the last for The Artist’s Loft.
The gallery, on the third floor of 103 Main Street, will be open Gallery Walk weekend, Friday 10-8:30 and Saturday 10-6. Hays is moving to a new home in Brattleboro and his studio will take up new residence there. It will not be open to the general public any longer.
Hays says he had to think long and carefully about moving off Main Street after more than 27 years there. “This is all part of a cascade of life changes which have come my way, most of which are by my own choice.” The timing is right for him and he has gradually become ready to move. He says being in the walking community of downtown is what he’ll miss the most.
Hays has been working in linocut prints exclusively for the past three years. His prints are shown in galleries throughout New England. Just one block away from The Artist’s Loft, Hays will continue showing his artwork daily at Gallery In The Woods at 145 Main Street. Owners Dante and Suzanne Corsano have known Hays and his work for many years and, for Hays, it seems a perfect choice for continuing to have his work available in his hometown.
For more info: http://www.theartistsloft.com
One of the first galleries I walked to...
I remember one of the first Gallery Walks I ever attended included stopping on Main street to see a sign beckoning us up the stairs to see the Gallery.
This was in the days when most places had a bit of wine and some snacks offered, and there seemed to be more of a focus on art in general, so the combined offer of galleries and refreshments led us to circulate a bit more than now.
We went up and met Mr. Hays who, at the time, also maintained one of the only useful web sites about Brattleboro. We got to see his paintings.
Ever since, the gallery has been a regular stopping point at Gallery Walk and other times. Relatives have rented out the loft space, and we’ve had a chance to sit and look out the great windows overlooking the river. It would be a hard view to give up.
Best of luck in the new digs!
Meet the future
It will be hard to imagine Main Street without William. It’s time for all that was his history to meet his future.