BMAG closes for renovation after grant awards

POMEROY–The Blue Mountain Artisan Guild is closed until March after receiving a generous grant from the Shepherd Foundation to purchase the building to the west of the existing gallery. In addition, the BMAG was recently awarded additional grants from Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA), Innovia, Inland Power, Blue Mountain Community Foundation (BMCF).

The BMAG gallery will be closed through February and reopen March 1, while changes to the new building are made to house the gallery. The original building will be used to accommodate the Summer Children’s Program which average class size is 30 students, and also larger programs for adults and youth.

“By using the first building as a version of a workshop we will be able to offer more room for other medias such as stained glass and more pottery,” said Linda McKeirnan. “This way someone can come in to work on a project and be able to leave it until the next day to complete during our open hours.”

The gallery also received generous grants from SEWEDA, Innovia, Inland Power and BMCF.

“BMAG is looking forward to the public stopping in and enjoying the expanded offerings afforded to the gallery from the many grant awards. Keep an eye out in the EW, Pomeroy info page or on the window of BMAG to see what is happening with us!,” McKeirnan said.

“We greatly appreciated the donations and memberships that continue to support us,” said McKeirnan. The gallery will reopen March 1 to the public, according to the State of Washington phase protocols.