Contemporary art has new home Contemporary art has new home (November 09, 2005)

A former bar is an unlikely location for a contemporary art gallery, but it reflects Spur Projects owners Jessica and Frank Lonergan's desire to create a relaxed setting for viewing art.

The gallery, located at 888 Portola Road in Portola Valley, is the former site of Jan's Valley Inn, and prior to that, Maloney's Bar. It's an intimate space that balances a rustic aesthetic with a more elegant atmosphere.

"Woodside, Portola Valley and the Midpeninsula have needed a great gallery for a long time," said Robert Buelteman, the artist whose work is currently featured in Spur Projects' inaugural exhibit. "It's going to be a huge asset to the community."

The response to the gallery, open since mid-October, and to Mr. Buelteman's work, has been very encouraging, says Ms. Lonergan.

"We've probably sold about a quarter of the (pieces in the) show so far, and we're still going strong," she said.

The next exhibit, a group show called "Open Stables," running November 24 through January 10, will feature the work of four artists, said Michelle Townsend, Spur's director. Sculptures by Maddy LeMel of Los Angeles will be displayed with artwork by painters George Fischer and Tasha Ostrander, both Santa Fe-based artists, and abstract painter John Ochs of Kansas City.

INFORMATION

The exhibit "New Works by Robert Buelteman" runs through November 23 at the new Spur Projects gallery at 888 Portola Road in Portola Valley. Spur is hosting an open house with the artist from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 12. For information, call 529-2040 or go to spurprojects.com. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and by appointment. Mr. Buelteman's work can be viewed online at Buelteman.com.

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