News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery celebrating the opening of its fully remodeled building.
Terri Ritter said they have spent the last year searching for grants and fundraising for the more than $17,000 project. She said with the building not having been updated since the 1980s, it was time for a change.
“After 40 years of course it’s going to be getting old and dingy and that’s where it was,” Ritter said. “And if we’re going to have galleries that are current like those in Nashville and Knoxville, then we need to have galleries that are competitive.”
Ritter said the reaction to the new space has been amazing. She said visitors have been “in awe” of the new upgrades to the facility.
“To bring it into this century we needed it to be updated and modernized so when people visit, it feels current,” Ritter said. “And now our walls have this blue, silvery carpet on the walls and this luxury vinyl plank floors.”
Ritter said the first exhibit in the new space is the 45th annual Upper Cumberland High School Art Competition. She said to have the art of local youths on the walls for the gallery to reopen has been very special.
“And we have a new exhibit every month so there is a reason to come back and visit us each month,” Ritter said.
