By FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer

The postponement of the Phantom Art Gallery as the first event in a number of years at the controversial Marting's building turns out to have been only a temporary setback.

The event has been rescheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9 at 526 Second St. in the Boneyfiddle Historic District of downtown Portsmouth.

The Phantom Art Gallery originally was scheduled for Oct. 4-5 at the Marting's building, but it was blocked from taking place because of a list of code upgrades required for public occupancy.

"We are excited to find another place that was available for our area artists to showcase their work," said DeLynn Coppoletti, director of Portsmouth Area Arts Council. "The building was previously a used furniture store and has some very interesting booth spaces with archways. We think the artists will really like the unique style and history of this building."

Coppoletti said artists are being invited to submit their artwork for inclusion in the exhibition -- a cooperative effort between Portsmouth Area Arts Council and Main Street Portsmouth -- which will be hosting a downtown holiday retail open house the same weekend.

Gallery hours will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

"Our goal is to bring attention to commercial sites available for lease and revitalization, as well as showcase the artistic talent or our area," Coppoletti said. "People don't realize that some of our community's greatest assets are the artists who live here and create unique works of art that reflect the local culture. This is what both visitors and local residents are look to purchase -- something unique and made by hand."

Michael Clark, PAAC Board member, himself a wood artist said, "It is our desire to bring artisans and the community together, in the first steps to establishing a permanent gallery in the future that will offer a viable avenue for the display and sale of hand-made art."

Clark said he is working with PAAC and Main Street Portsmouth to invite area artists to participate and hopefully give their input on the beginning discussion of a permanent gallery.

Coppoletti said the artwork may be two or three dimensional, created in any media, must be for sale and ready to hang or display.

She said artists are responsible for any sales and are therefore required to stay during the gallery hours. No commission is being charged but a modest entry fee of $20 will be required per artist, to offset the cost of the event.

Coppoletti said the exhibit is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served. Complete guidelines and a registration form are available by contacting Coppoletti at (740) 351-3642 or email dcoppoletti@shawnee.edu. Information is also available at www.mainstreetportsmouthOH.org.