POP-UP ART GALLERY
Farrol Mertes,Grantee
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” Pablo Picasso
Los Osos Popup Gallery is located at 1056 Los Osos Valley Road (next to Century 21). Additionally, a temporary space at 1063 A&B Los Osos Valley Road (next to Starbucks) is exhibiting artwork. The exhibition spaces are for viewing only. No access to the interior is made available to the public.
There are limited exhibition opportunities for artists in SLO County. Having worked in the arts most of my life, I am always seeking way
s to bring art to the forefront. In late 2015, I contacted the new owners of the LO Shopping Center and proposed the idea of exhibiting art in all the vacant units. They agreed to sponsor the spaces. The center initially had 10 vacant units. The first year was a great success, 7 artists exhibited. The participating artists have included painters, sculptors, photographers, a welder, a glass artisan, and a weaver. Since the spaces did not have walls available, I had 2 new freestanding walls built, and made 6 rustically formed easels for artists to utilize.
Do Good Grants has made it possible to purchase the exterior sign for the new exhibition space, build new 2 pedestals, paint, and print postcards.
The artists receive 100% of all sales and handle all sales. I curate, handle scheduling, marketing and artist outreach.
The next phase for the new space at 1056 Los Osos Valley Road will have 4-6 rotating exhibitions a year. All SLO county artists are invited to submit exhibition proposals. 
My hope is to have 1-2 exhibitions a year for SLO County K-12 students.
I am honored to be one of the first recipients of Do Good Grants funding. Thank you for enriching the next stage of Los Osos Popup Gallery.
https://www.facebook.com/lososospopupgallery
