History
Greater New Port Richey Main Street’s understanding of the integral role the Arts play in creating a vibrant, exciting downtown district lead to the creation of the Progress Energy Art Gallery in 2003, with a generous grant from Progress Energy.
When faced with the option of opening another administrative office in one of our downtown locations, the Main Street Board opted to encourage the revitalization of our downtown by installing a Gallery in the office space fronting Grand Boulevard and put their offices in the back of the building. This Gallery has since become a much loved and appreciated cornerstone of our downtown’s Cultural movement. April of 2005, the Gallery hosted its first benefit art auction, Art In Paradise. The auction was a great success and allowed for further expansion of the Gallery's ability to fulfill its mission to bring the Arts to New Port Richey.
We feature local, regional & international Fine Artists of all mediums in an effort to both foster a supportive environment for artists as well as to present thought provoking, stimulating exhibits for the benefit of the community. The Gallery strives to educate our residents about the diversity, talent and creativity of our Fine Artists as well as the importance of supporting the Arts in our City.
A strong Arts & Cultural movement in our downtown strengthens our economy, our fabric as a community and makes our town a better, more interesting place to live.
Our Mission
PROVIDE CULTURAL ENRICHMENT through exposure of all types of art;
RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS of art and artists worldwide;
EDUCATE children and adults in art creation and appreciation;
PROMOTE PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS taking place at the gallery and other agencies.
Our Staff
Nancy Ciesla, Gallery Director
Sergio Vitorio Flores, Staff and Gallery Advisory Committee
Lea Mahoney, Volunteer
Lea is responsible for coordinating the First Friday Artist Reception refreshments. She contacts Sweetbay Supermarket, who donates the wine, cheese, brings the goodies to the gallery on opening day and sets up the refreshment tables. Then she serves the wine while chatting with the patrons. That is why she is known as "Miss Wine-O".
Ann Wilkinson, Grant writer.
Gallery Advisory Committee
Ralph Annan - Acrylic
Jo Baughman - Watercolor
Michelle Collins - Mixed Media
Sergio Flores - Sculpture
Matthew Ellord - Oil
Natalie Robers - Pastel
Paula Showen - Photography
Ron Urbanovich - Giclee Printing
