BRYAN, TEXAS — The pandemic has forced several industries to alter operations in order to stay afloat, which includes many art galleries.
One local art gallery in Bryan has created a new event for artists and the community to stay connected in a special way.
Degallery has been in the Brazos Valley for 5 years. Their first location was in College Station, but a few months ago they packed up and moved into a new building on North Rosemary Street in Bryan.
"I would like to support more artists here and where they can show their art and sale their art," Dary Dega, Owner of Degallery in Bryan said.
An avid supporter of the arts, Dary Dega has been working on a new project during the pandemic in an effort for local artists to showcase their creations.
In November, they held their First Saturday Art Market event doing just that.
"My idea is to invite more local artists and international artists from Bryan, Houston and Austin. We have vendors from Dallas. I would like more people coming and can buy original, not expensive, good art, here."
This family friendly event is outdoors the first Saturday of every month. Activities include art classes, free art workshops, live music and a painting sculpture and art showcase.
"If artists can sell artwork, this is good for artists. I think this helps during the crazy coronavirus and the future for artists to sell more artwork," Dega added.
One local artist in the Brazos Valley is Eric Theodore. The Tennessee native says he came to the Lone Star Sate for an art residency in Navasota five years ago and has since planted his artistic roots in the Brazos Valley.
"It was always my favorite hobby for as long as I can remember," Theodore said. "It's really awesome that there are still events going on like this, especially that it's outdoors and where people can come and browse and artists can show their work and everyone can do it in a safe way. So, it brings more of the community together."
This idea, planted during a pandemic, allows artists an outlet to showcase their passion and for the community to safely connect.
Dary says outside of their First Saturday Art Market events, they also have 25 art classes that are offered at the gallery, from beginners to professional painting, including oil, acrylic, watercolor and more.
The First Saturday Art Market event is held from 9am until 3pm each first Saturday until May. First Saturday events after May could have a different event time to accommodate a cooler temperature event in the evenings.