Art gallery opens in Weissport

Jeff Elder had the vision, while wife Sharon had the talent, and together they created Weissport’s first art gallery.

The Gallery in Weissport is set to have its grand opening Saturday at noon, where photography appreciators can scan the walls of the renovated building and admire everything from midflight owls to architecture to Amish culture.

The work of five photographers fill the walls of the century-old freshly restored house on Bridge Street.

Elder said the owners of the retro-style ice cream parlor next door, Chantilly Goods Ice Cream Shoppe, purchased the building two months ago and offered him the chance to rent the first floor as a photography studio.

“I fell in love with the porch and the beautiful picture window,” Elder said.

“The fireplace was painted a hideous red and there was 50-year-old paneling. There was gorgeous floor underneath the gross carpeting. After the renovations it turned into a wonderful place,” he said.

“I can build things, that’s my gift. I knew what this place was going to look like,” he said.

“I was able to purchase just the right furniture from local antique stores. Dennis Hawk of Hawk Signs made ours and it’s just phenomenal. I had a lot of help getting this together.”

The gallery features the work of local photographers; Kelly Eisenhauer, Steve Bandura, LaRue Fritz and Dave Levandusky, who join Sharon’s work in the three-room gallery.

“My wife and her friend (Eisenhauer) have been doing photography since retirement, and it’s all their design. I just provided the spot,” Elder said.

“Sharon’s photography is in a digital frame at home, and people would come over and watch this little screen. I said, ‘Babe, we got to get you a gallery,’ and here we are.”

Sharon began taking pictures three years ago as a hobby after retiring from teaching in Lehighton’s district.

“I started taking pictures with Kelly. I started with barns, bridges and animals. It was just an interest since I was a kid but I never did anything with it until Jeff opened this,” she said.

“We are hoping people stop by and have ice cream next door and come in to enjoy the pictures.”

Elder said Sharon and Eisenhauer invited Bandura to display his work along with theirs before being joined by Fritz and finally Levandusky’s nature shots.

“It just showcases the talents the artists have,” Elder said of the gallery.

The Elders, both retired Lehighton Area schoolteachers, moved to Carbon County in the ’60s and ’70s respectively.

Though the couple of 42 years live it Lehighton, Elder said opening the gallery in Weissport made complete sense.

“Weissport is a historic town. It’s unsung. There are the gorgeous trees in the park. The interest of the canal and completion of the pedestrian bridge, and with Jerry’s (Outdoor Adventure), it was brilliant to bring this here with all the local businesses. It all just left an impression. I said, ‘I have to be here.’ ”

The Gallery in Weissport will have hours of operation on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

For more information, call 570-386-2530.