Martis art gallery has final show in Albion

Kim Muscarella is closing gallery after seven years

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – After seven years of featuring artists from Orleans County, as well as in Rochester and Buffalo, the Marti’s on Main gallery is having its final show.

Gallery owner Kim Martillotta Muscarella has included artists in 107 different shows over seven years at 229 North Main St. Muscarella is pictured on Friday evening with her husband Neal Muscarella. They live at 229 North Main and have made half of their home available for displaying artwork to the public.

“I was trying to do a good thing for the community,” Mrs. Martillotta said. “It’s sad to see it go. It’s been a lot of fun. Hopefully I enriched some lives.”

She estimates that about 70 different artists have had shows at Marti’s, with some featured more than once. For many artists, Marti’s was there first opportunity to have a show, highlighting their work. Several of those debut artists would feature their work at other galleries after Marti’s.

Muscarella and the artist community welcomed the public for “First Friday” receptions each month to meet the artists in the latest exhibits.

Susan Rudnicky is one of the featured artists in the last show at Marti’s. Rudnicky of Waterport has 40 paintings in watercolors and acrylics in the show at Marti’s. Rudnicky has been featured twice before at the gallery.

“Besides a place to show work in Albion, this to me has been a bright place to see art in Albion,” Rudnicky said. “It’s been a place where artists can get to know each other and spark off ideas.”

Muscarella said she was on the fence about doing an eighth season, but a $2,000 increase in insurance costs was the final factor in deciding to close the gallery after this month’s last show.

Rudnicky said Marti’s will be missed.

“It’s been a real cultural mecca,” she said. “It’s been a place to see interesting stuff and see who else is doing nifty things.”

Rudnicky has very colorful paintings on display. She is in the process of moving to Holland in Erie County. Some of her paintings are big at 3 feet by 4 feet.

Judy Wenrich of Kendall also is featured at Marti’s. She has 20 paintings on display, drawings and photos of horses, barns and other animals.

“I like animals,” said Wenrich, a retired social worker. “They seem to be able to talk to you. I don’t like buildings. You have to draw a straight line and I can’t draw a straight line.”

To visit the gallery, give Martillotta Muscarella a call at (585) 589-6715.