As you enter Main Street of Mathews, at Hyco Corner with Hardees® on the left hand side, keep traveling a ways and you’ll see a sign reading Mag-The Gallery on the right hand side almost across from the shopping center. But when you ask a local resident or look in the telephone directory, you will use The Mathews Art Gallery. Be sure to come into the white building, with hand painted pictures, surrounding the front and side transom windows. Each picture depicts a building, bird, seashell or other object of interest in the county. 

     Don’t be fooled by the paintings as to what you’ll find inside.

     In ten years since opening, The Gallery has grown and today the co-op has about 45 members. Inside the front door, begin with the window displays. There are stained glass pieces of modern art, florals, and abstract designs. Carved cranes, owls, blue heron or other birds of the shore let you know you are in Bay Country. A wrought iron lamp with green ivy leaves and a stained glass shade sit on one side, and a stand with morning glories climbing up the sides, a colorful stained glass butterfly, clinging to a flower, with a gazing ball on top sits on the opposite side. You’ll find a selection of clear vases trimmed with copper and stained glass, another with copper, including shaped tinted leaves and one with silver and stained glass.

     Keep walking and see the original oil, acrylic, water color and pastel paintings framed and ready to hang. Each artist has a grouping plus some that have been pulled for special displays. If you prefer there are prints made from the originals, some matted and framed and many ready for you to have framed. Prints include P. Buckley Moss selections that are currently available. If you aren’t familiar with the name, Moss has become an internationally known artist. Since her main warehouse is only a few miles away, The Gallery has access to all current prints available.

     There is more: a rack holds stationary and cards with prints made from the paintings. Over the doors, you’ll find hangings that might add charm to your home or that of a friend. Designs carved in small eggs, medium sized egg and large ostrich eggs awe one and make wonderful displays. A show case and shelves on the wall hold carved birds for jewelry, table tops and floor displays. One finds stained glass jewelry, slumped stained glass bowls for serving or display, sandblasted or painted stem ware and dishes as well as etched glass with metal and stained glass surrounding the design for hanging.

     Jane’s Pottery, known by many as some of the nicest, hand painted and fired in a kiln. Her pottery used to lean entirely to the blue tones on a light background, but today she does snow white with greens, blues or black. Start a set of her dishes or buy a single spoon-holder or serving dish. There are other pieces of pottery by other potters, making nice gifts or a treat for yourself.

     Musical instruments for everyone, even the deaf, display one area. I’m told they are easy to play if you know anything about music. Unusual baskets adorn here and there in the building, all hand made and many from local reeds or tree barks. Hand woven pieces in cotton or wool from local sheep make runners, rugs, scarves and hats.

     Don’t miss the craft room with tree ornaments, old fashioned stuffed ladies and men dressed in tartans, ginghams with aprons and ole’ St. Nick in suitable attire. It’s just too much to tell about-all hand made by local or Virginia artists. It is worth a day in Mathews to see it all and perhaps purchase one or more pieces. 

© 2001 Catherine C. Brooks All rights reserved.