ARTS

New gallery opens on Congress

By Noah Bruce

Portland has a new art gallery. That’s good news for artists, especially since proprietor Paul Michael Barry (a.k.a. Charlie B.) is charging artists so little in commission on sales — only 10 percent, plus a small monthly fee. Compare that with the 50 percent some galleries charge and you understand why The Congress Square Gallery and Mall, located at 589 Congress next to Paul’s Food Center, already has a waiting list of artists hoping to get in. Of course, “getting in” to the Gallery and Mall doesn’t exactly carry the weight of being hand-picked by Congress Street mates June Fitzpatrick, Andy Verzosa, or Chris Wright. But, to some, it doesn’t matter.

“I don’t care if I make a dime,” says Barry, a candle maker by trade who renovated the old Food for Thought space himself. When asked why he wanted to open a gallery, Barry shrugs, then says “God told me to do it.”

The gallery will feature local artists and include photographs, oil paintings, acrylic, glasswork, jewelry, sculpture, and crafts. Though the gallery will not officially open until August 3, Barry has already sold five pieces to passersby while he has been setting up.

The Congress Square Gallery and Mall’s grand opening is on August 3 from 5 to 9 p.m.