FARMINGTON — Members of a local artists’ group are working to open a new Upcountry Artists Gallery and Learning Center on Broadway.

The space at 218 Broadway will feature the work of area artists and provide space for members to teach, hold workshops and programs, member Kika Nigals of Industry said.

She hopes the opening can occur within the next couple weeks.

Some of the group of about 160 members wanted to start doing something, go back to their mission and give back to the community, she said.

According to its website, Upcountry Artists formed in 1986 as a nonprofit group with a mission to “encourage, support, educate artists and develop public awareness of the arts in Western Maine.”

A core group of members got together, took a look at vacant spaces downtown and approached property owner William Marceau about renting the site of the former Pine Tree Cellular store for minimal rent.

Marceau gave them the space to use and the group pays the electricity, he said.

“It’s a benefit to them and as a community member I want to work with people,” he said of group members, many of whom he’s known for years.

“It’s exciting to give them the opportunity, form and space to work in,” he added.

The space remains for rent, but in the meantime the group will use it to share their talents and knowledge with the community.

They do run the risk that the space could be rented. If that happens, they intend to look at other options, Nigals said.

“It’s an experiment,” Nigals said. “It will be member-driven.”

The gallery is expected to open on a Thursday-Friday or Saturday-Sunday schedule. It depends on who is available from the group to staff it.

The Learning Center space is also up to members, who wants to teach and what.

There are members who teach through adult education or in their own studios but there are also members who don’t have the teaching space or the opportunity, Nigals said.

Upcountry Artists presents its work at various shows throughout the year and also organizes an annual Sugarloaf Art and Craft Show at Sugarloaf Mountain over Homecoming-Columbus Day weekend.

Members meet monthly for programs and also offer an annual scholarship for an aspiring artist from an area high school.

The group’s website, www.upcountryartists.com, will get an update and carry information on gallery hours and Learning Center programs, Nigals said.

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