Press Release – For immediate release
thegallery8680 - a new approach to art in Frisco
Thursday, November 11, 2010 – thegallery8680 re-opened its doors for a new era of the arts in Frisco. Located at 8680 Main Street, The gallery8680 brings a new space for artists to exhibit their work, creates another venue for the artist and art collectors to gather, and draws the public into a gallery close to home.
thegallery8680 exhibits original art by both emerging and mid-career artists, who are currently working to express fresh ideas in an intelligent and well-executed manner. When planning the venue, Creative Director Robyn Parker Feehan, envisioned a gallery that is, “ uninhibited by preconceived notions and theories of the conceptual art movement of the past, in the realization of work that deals with issues that reflect contemporary society concerns and document today's reality.”
Originally from New Zealand, Robyn and her husband Glenn Pastors of have always had a vision to facilitate the artist. They lived in Sydney, Australia, and Massachusetts, before moving to Frisco to plant C3 TrueNorth Church. One thing that drew Robyn and her family to Frisco is the city’s intent to make the public aware of the arts. They visualized embracing the arts not just in music, but also in the verbal conversation that one can have with a painting or sculpture.
“The artist is able provoke many conversations of speech, heart, matter and thought,” explains Robyn.
When they opened the doors of C3TrueNorth Church last year, Robyn’s dream of opening an art gallery in the same space was also realized. thegallery8680 hosted its inaugural exhibit in June of 2009, featuring emerging artists from the Collin College Preston Ridge Campus. The
opening night was a great success, attended by over 120 patrons, and set the pace for future shows.
After taking some time to make some alterations to the modern space, thegallery8680 re-launched this fall with two shows in October. Kids ‘n Art, directed by Shannon Jamail, was the first exhibit in the newly re-opened space in early October. Parents and children from all over the area enjoyed a colorful exhibit on the crisp, white gallery walls.
The current exhibition titled “Six” opened on October 29, and features six artists from the Frisco area. The show, curated by Feehan, is a brilliant mix of styles, from artists who are as equally diverse. The opening reception was well-attended, and several paintings have already sold from this show. The exhibit runs through the month of November, closing on November 28. For an appointment to see the work, you may contact Robyn at 214-585-8175.
With a clear and compelling mission to acquire, exhibit, and preserve both modern and contemporary art, while “embracing the voice of an artist,” Robyn is currently planning future exhibits and art events. On Friday, November 19, thegallery8680 will host a viewing of “Beautiful Losers,” which features a loose-knit group of young outsider artists in the 1990s, who have gone on to make their mark in the art world. Please contact Robyn to RSVP for this event.
Recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of the various arts organizations in this community, thegallery8680 wants to contribute to the growing successes of the visual arts.
“There has been much progression for the arts in Frisco. The Frisco Association of Arts is here supporting the arts also the Visual Arts Guild is active within the community. Frisco has incredible sculptures throughout its streets. A sculpture park is planned and of course we are very blessed to have all the sculpture that is exhibited in the Hall Office Park. Works for this have been sought from artists all over the USA. There is also the tireless work of the Arts Of Collin County. ,” explains Robyn. “The intention of thegallery8680 is to draw the attention toward the arts, the artists and their voice. Unless you look at art it is hard to appreciate. The purpose of thegallery8680 is to facilitate excellence and awareness of art, and to stimulate and promote the Arts in Frisco. “
For more information, contact Robyn Feehan, Creative Director, thegallery8680, at 214-585-8175 or thegallery8680@gmail.com.