When Gallery 621 closed its doors at the end of 2014, it was uncertain where its member artists would next exhibit, or whether they would have a new home at all.

“People were so sad,” artist Nikki Basch-Davis said. “They came by and said, ‘Where will you be, and where are you going?’”

Now, like the proverbial Phoenix rising from the ashes, many of Gallery 621’s original members have returned and opened a new First Street location. Though the new address is 309 First St., the name of the gallery will remain the same.

“We had four years here of people liking us,” Basch-Davis said. “It felt like we already had a crowd that we felt supports us.”

Even more appealing for art enthusiasts in the community and beyond, the artists of Gallery 621 have relocated to the building across a courtyard from Benicia Plein Air Gallery, where Be Chic Boutique used to be housed.

The tandem effect suddenly gives the downtown area a concentrated hub of art, and the artists have Phil Joy, owner of the building, to thank. “Phil really supports the arts. He wants to see even the back building, once it’s refurbished, housed with art,” Basch-Davis said.

The new space is significantly smaller than the gallery’s older location three blocks up the street, but with the strategic placement of the floating walls they used at the old gallery the members made it work, Basch-Davis said.

“The whole group worked fantastically together. They are generous with their time, creativity,” she said.

“It came out way beyond my expectations. It was a small, pretty dark space and you needed a lot of imagination.”

Gallery 621 currently has 12 artist members: Linda Stevenson Dunlop, Susan Aulik, Basch-Davis, Sharon Payne Bolton, Robert Nelson, Kathy Oja, Stephen Schumm, Pam Dixon, Jeffrey Tover, Lee Wilder Snider, Bea Guttman and Jerrold Turner.

Soon the gallery plans to have shows to feature its artists, and give space to guest artists, as well: In the courtyard the sculptures of Lisa Reinertson, Jack Ruszel, Mike Kendall and Mary Oros will be showcased.

This Saturday the gallery will have a grand re-opening reception in conjunction with the Plein Air Gallery’s reception for featured artist Craig Britton.

“We just want to introduce ourselves again, and say hello, and we are here,” Basch-Davis said. “We feel very loved, accepted and liked … we’re glad we can remain here, as a place (artists) choose to come.

“I want to thank Benicia and the people that support us. We are eternally grateful and it really warmed out hearts. It’s very good to stay here.”