J&J Gallery opens with roster of 34 artists on Lakewood Ranch Main Street
J&J Gallery Collective Art and Gifts hopes to satisfy Lakewood Ranch’s hunger for more art and cultural offerings.
The gallery, located in Suite M-106 at 8131 Lakewood Ranch Main St., opened Aug. 1 and represents the works of 34 artists, business manager Jennifer Perry said Thursday.
J&J is looking for additional artists and its roster is expected to grow to more than 40, she said.
Even though the gallery had a soft opening at the beginning of the month, it saw the street at its busiest three days later when Music on Main attracted a crowd estimated at 3,000.
Michael Monroe, one of J&J’s artists, was a hit that day, painting to the music outside the gallery. Monroe will reprise his sidewalk painting at the next Music on Main on Sept. 1.
It just all came together. We wanted to be on Main Street because we know there is so much resident activity with fine dining, the movies and so many community events.
Jennifer Perry
J&J Gallery“The growth of the community and the need for more culture all ties into The Players Centre for Performing Arts coming to Lakewood Ranch,” Perry said of the decision to open the gallery. “It just all came together. We wanted to be on Main Street because we know there is so much resident activity with fine dining, the movies and so many community events.”
Paintings, photography, jewelry and fine furniture are all represented in the gallery. Prices range from the hundreds to $14,000.
“You can find something for every budget,” Perry said.
Silvia Engel, who creates fine glass jewelry and mixed media tiles, is happy to be one of the member artists at J&J Gallery.
“Main Street needed the gallery. An art gallery just brings the street up,” Engel said.
J&J Gallery plans its grand opening from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 15 and will have its full roster of member artists present, along with complimentary food, wine and music.
The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit jandjgallery.com or call 941-444-6056.
James A. Jones Jr.: 941-745-7053, @jajones1
This story was originally published August 17, 2017 at 3:01 PM with the headline "J&J Gallery opens with roster of 34 artists on Lakewood Ranch Main Street."