Free community art gallery opens in Batavia elementary school

Public can view artwork from community artists, take home pieces and add art

BATAVIA – Grace McWayne Elementary School is now home to a free, 24-hour miniature art gallery where the community can view the artwork of community artists, take home art pieces that they like, and add artwork that they themselves create.

According to a news release from the school district, the collection changes as new pieces are added and existing pieces find new homes. The only permanent fixtures are the gallery’s furniture and easels.

Gallery additions must be 6″ x 9″ or smaller, but all types of art media are welcome, including paintings, drawings, prints, collage, poetry, sculpture and ceramics.

The 24-hour community gallery makes art and craft more accessible than a traditional gallery, providing amateur artists and artisans the opportunity to display their work to a local audience and enabling all levels of artistry to be shared, viewed and appreciated, the release stated.

The Free Little Art Gallery in Batavia is curated by local artist and veteran art teacher Nikki Pappanduros, who was awarded a grant from the Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation to construct the gallery, the release stated.

“My hope was to bring joy to the community, to be a bright spot on a dog walk or bike ride or for students waiting for the bus in the morning,” Pappanduros stated in the release.

The Free Little Art Gallery in Batavia can be found on Instagram at @freelittleartgallery_batavia.