Little Art Shop member artist Jose Luis Varto unloads a seascape painting that will be on display at Bella Siena Restaurant when it opens. (Photo by Rejina Christopher)

The Little Art Shop is about to mark one year in Benicia, and it has been quite a ride for the gallery.

On June 3, 2017, The Little Art Shop opened its doors in the historic Tannery Building having spent the previous 17 years operating out of a small space on Mankas Corner in Suisun Valley, first as The Clay Station and then as The Little Art Shop. The shop, which co-owner Rejina Christopher has described as being a cross between a gift shop and a gallery, has several member artists who specialize in such forms as pottery, sculpture, paintings, sketches, fused glass, jewelry, functional ceramics, candles, body products, mosaics, assemblage, metal art, greeting cards and other items that are available for purchase.

The shop also has been helping out its fellow Tannery tenants. In January, Elizabeth Kurt– the co-owner of the upcoming Bella Siena Restaurant– was hard at work on her new eatery when she walked into The Little Art Shop. After being impressed with the art she saw, Kurt received an offer from Christopher to source work from The Little Art Shop’s 26 artists as well as those from partner studio Once Upon a Canvas to provide artwork that would be adorned over 100 feet of wall space in the restaurant. Among the pieces to be featured are “lighted” abstract works by Sharon Campbell and textured abstracts depicting the Benicia shoreline, Napa and Siena, Italy by Jose Luis Varto.

“The Little Art Shop is excited to be working with the restaurant on this project,” Christopher said in a statement. “We have a diverse group of local artists with many years of experience, who are excellent in their chosen media.”

Bella Siena will be serving a mix of Italian and American cuisine in the space formerly occupied by Shoreline Restaurant. Although no opening date has been announced, crews are currently performing a busy and rapid remodeling process. For more information on Bella Siena, go to bellasienarestaurant.com.

The celebrations do not stop for The Little Art Shop. On Saturday, June 2, the store will be hosting an anniversary party featuring music, giveaways, snacks and discounts on many of the store’s items. Lyn Lasneski, an award-winning artist who creates complex, detailed paintings without using any brushes– only her fingers. Lasneski will be at The Little Art Shop from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday to discuss her fingerpainting techniques, artistic vision and upcoming book “Creative Genius.”

The Little Art Shop is located at 129 First St. For more information, go to facebook.com/thelittleartshop.benicia/ or call 771-6667.

Like many of Lyn Lanseski’s patings, “Free Fall” was created entirely out of finger painting. Lasneski will discuss her technique at The Little Art Shop’s anniversary party on Saturday, June 2. (Painting by Lyn Lasneski)

Sharing is caring!