Much of the gallery’s success is owed to the founding members, as well as local businesses, who supported the gallery during those early years.
Carved blue-glazed stoneware pottery by Trudy Woods
The Broadway Gallery celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, with a special reception on Thursday, September 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Three of the original founding members will be present: Audrey Hoffman, David Myers and Trudy Woods. Their work, along with Ray Cooper’s, will be on display in September.
30th Anniversary Celebration
September 6
5:30 – 7:30 pm, Featuring cake and champagne
Music by Dave Mongeau
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The gallery has much to be proud of. Small businesses often don’t make it past the first few years, but gallery members have banded together through several periods of difficult economy. There are currently 40 active members, who represent a diversity of artistic styles and mediums, and who also work at various jobs in the gallery.
Tule Fall Chinook No.2 by founding member David Myers
In 1982, seventeen local artists joined together to form a cooperative gallery located in a small storefront on Broadway in downtown Longview. The economy was very shaky at the time, and they hoped to keep the doors open at least a year or two. Within three years they outgrew the space and moved to the current location at 1418 Commerce. Thirty years later they are still in business, and have even expanded into additional classroom space.
“When we started the gallery, we signed a one-year lease, which is one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. We thought we might stay open a year or two. It’s very rewarding to still be going 30 years later,” founding member Trudy Woods said.
Much of the gallery’s success is owed to the founding members, as well as local businesses, who supported the gallery during those early years. People like Joel Rupley, Pat Martin, Joan LeMieux, Karen Pickett, Cathy Zimmerman and Bill Hansen, associate administrator at St. John’s Hospital, an art lover who purchased many items for his home, as well as the hospital.
“He was a great supporter of the Broadway Gallery when we first opened,” Trudy Woods said to his daughter Marie Wise recently, also a gallery member.
“I remember visiting the gallery with Dad at the original location, and some of the artwork he bought has been passed down to me, like a series of carved wooden Santas, and a mask by Alaskan carver Art Oomituk,” Marie explained.
Paper art by founding member Audrey Hoffman
To commemorate the anniversary, gallery members are honoring their customers by donating a total of 30 artworks, which will be awarded at daily drawings during the 30 days of September.
Please join us in celebrating our anniversary. We have so much to be thankful for, but most of all, we are thankful for our members, customers, and the support of the community.
The Broadway Gallery.
Without your support, we would not have made it this long!
The Broadway Gallery is a cooperative gallery located in the heart of historic downtown Longview, Washington, featuring original artwork and crafts produced by Southwest Washington and Oregon artists. In business since 1982, the Gallery has served the community’s artistic needs for 30 years. Located just blocks from other downtown Longivew shops, galleries and restaurants, the Gallery is an integral and important part of the downtown art scene. Learn more.