Greetings art lovers. It’s a muggy Labor Day here in North Texas. Since art251 is closed today I thought I’d use the opportunity to labor over our first customer newsletter — news251.

So, welcome to news251. We’re glad to have you as a recipient! This is the first art251 newsletter for our customers past, present and future. From now on we’ll be emailing a newsletter regularly, but not too frequently, to let you know about our special art251 events. If you no longer wish to receive this email, please follow the “subscription options” link at the bottom of the newsletter.

At last! We’re open

art251 officially opened for business on August 12. Thanks to all of you for your support and patience during our construction. Kim and I began planning art251 around a year ago. We’re both exhausted and ecstatic to be open, finally. To celebrate we’ll be having some entertaining grand opening events this September.

art251 September events

We’re planning some fun events during September to mark our official opening. As promised, we’ll have no inflatable gorillas dangling from our rooftop. Here’s what we have planned so far:

Sept. 6, Saturday 6-9pm - Ft.Worth Gallery Night comes to Keller. We’ll be keeping the doors open until 9pm and serving some tasty refreshments surrounded by exceptional art from our local artists.

Sept. 13, Saturday all day until 6pm - Fine art and fine refreshments. Introducing art251 the first contemporary art space in Keller. Join us for a day of fun, take in some great art, meet some of our exceptional artists, and sip and snack on our outdoor patio.

Sept. 19-20, Friday (2-6pm)-Saturday (10am-noon, 2-6pm) - Timeless Treasures by Carolyn D. Join jewelry artist Carolyn D to create your own personalized, custom fingerprint jewelry in silver and gold.

Sept. 25, Thursday 7-9pm - Sip and Sew with Sara Moe fiber artist. Keller resident, Sara Moe will be demonstrating needle felting, a creative new trend in fiber art. Come see how she uses a needle felting machine and her sewing machine to create her artwork. Sara will also show and discuss many of the different materials and media that she uses to create her art.

Sept. 26-27, Friday-Saturday - Art-o-mat ribbon cutting. Meet our beautiful blue Art-o-mat (art vending machine) and the Art-o-mat program creator Clark Whittington (National Bureau Chief for Artists-in-Cellophane). Clark will be giving a video overview of the Art-o-mat program for both customers and artists.

For up to the minute information and more specific details on each of these events be sure to check our website.

A fresh approach to art

If you appreciate art, whether you’re a new buyer or a seasoned collector, you’ll find art251 is a fresh approach to art. If you’re tired of the stuffy gallery and the over-stuffed crafts store come visit our bright and engaging space. Inside art251 you will discover original and unique contemporary art from around 30 local artists, many based in North Texas. You’ll want to keep coming back — we constantly refresh our space, exhibits and our art. So, if you wish to start collecting fine art, or if you want to decorate your home with original works, or if you’re looking for fine crafts as gifts you’ll find quality art and friendly staff at art251 to guide you. Some people view the art world as intimidating. art251 is here to change that. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and to help you learn about art and buying art in a fun and open way.

art251 artists

We now have 26 signed artists: Seppo Aarnos, Melissa Ayr, Chad Beene, Kelly Berry, Trish Biddle, Dana Blanchard, Filomena Booth, Melinda Brown, Diana Chase, Marla Cook, Brian Davis, Sean Fitzgerald, Jay Garrison, Faith Jessup, James Johnson, Connie Jordan, Drew Liedtke, Michael Longhofer, Lori Love, Sara Moe, Bobbie Nix, Kim Norris, Aditi Samarth, Jean Storm, Marnie Vollenhals and Dyanne Welch. We are delighted to have each of them on board. Their exceptional works cover a broad range of media, including: original paintings, limited edition photography, mixed media and collage, decorative and functional pottery, unique jewelry, found object assemblage, forged metal, steel sculpture, wood craft, fused glass and art for children.