New art gallery opens downtown

Carol Glashoff made her mind up to open a new art gallery in Martinez just two weeks ago. In short order, she has transformed a previously long-vacant storefront at 627 Main Street into a light and airy display space filled with delicate jewelry, sculptures, watercolor paintings and unique objets d’art, all handcrafted by local and East Bay artists.

Glashoff’s plans for her gallery, named Color Outside The Lines, include holding uncommon art classes in a variety of media. “The first one will be Making Your Own Urn,” Glashoff said yesterday during a break from arranging the merchandise. “I want to offer something different.”

A Crockett resident, Glashoff said she chose to open her business in Martinez because she has lots of friends in town.

Having owned and operated art galleries in Walnut Creek, Jerome, Arizona and Playa Flamigo in Costa Rica, Glashoff said she felt ready to try it again.

Martinez’s Michael Carraher, a woodworking craftsman profiled in a recent Gazette article, is among her featured artists, as is Vallejo resident Suzanne Long, who creates labor-intensive ceramic bowls and art pieces. Above: a ceramic-and-muslin piece featuring four figurines, on which Long has embroidered a short story titled Muddy Water. At left, a ceramic figurine titled Ennui.