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SALISBURY, MD---¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Art Galleries — Downtown Campus celebrates its grand opening during the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Arts & Entertainment District’s next Third Friday event on September 20. A festive ribbon-cutting is 5-6 p.m.

“¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ wants to see the City and its downtown thrive and prosper.  From financial support for bicycle lanes to entrepreneurial possibilities through the Ratcliffe Shore Hatchery program to the University Art Galleries — Downtown Campus, SU is firmly committed to being a partner for progress in the community. We are particularly pleased to support the work of the Arts & Entertainment District. I’m grateful to Dr. Maarten Pereboom, dean of the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts; Elizabeth Kauffman, galleries director; and Marisa Sage, galleries manager, for their leadership in making this project a success. ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ has a beautiful downtown, and the University wants to be a part of it,” said President Janet Dudley-Eshbach.

Also highlighting the evening is a closing reception from 5-8 p.m. for the gallery’s two current exhibits: “The Water Business,” a solo exhibit by Eastern Shore artist Marc Castelli, and “This Land,” a group exhibit featuring twelve artists from across the country whose works explore nuanced views of how land is shaped physically and figuratively by human activities.

Castelli’s works focus on the Chesapeake Bay and the watermen who have made their living on and by this body of water for centuries. “This Land,” borrows its name from an iconic Woody Guthrie song.

The 2,000-square-foot gallery joined the growing local art scene last April, hosting an “Art War” competition during the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Area Chamber of Commerce’s 31st annual ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Festival. Its first exhibits opened in May. The goal: Attract more students and visitors, who will, in turn, explore the neighborhood and enjoy what other downtown businesses, shops and artists have to offer.

“Across the country the arts play a vital role in building community,” said Dr. Maarten Pereboom, dean of the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts. “I hope that this gallery space will prove to be a significant step in helping ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ to rediscover its downtown as a center of community life through enjoyment of the arts.  The benefits are potentially great in every realm, including business.”

Performances, talks and exhibits will be ongoing at the gallery. Upcoming events include a talk by award-winning environmental writer Tom Horton 5:30 p.m. Friday, September 13, and a concert by acoustic sound artist Tatsuya Nakatani 8 p.m. Thursday, September 19.

“The new SU Art Galleries — Downtown Campus provides a unique opportunity for us to better connect with the community off campus, and to extend our programming out into the city,” said Liz Kauffman, galleries director. “We will be showing exciting and engaging artwork by artists from across the country in this space. In addition, we are actively seeking out ways to expand the presence of the arts on the Eastern Shore through area partnerships and direct interaction with the public.”

Beyond Third Fridays, the gallery is open noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays, and other times by appointment. Admission is free and the public is invited.

For more information call 410-548-2547 or visit the SU Art Galleries website at www.salisbury.edu/universitygalleries.