<I>The Eagle/Cheryl Jessup</I><BR>Above, from left, artists Hans Magden and Mytchell Mead help Moon Creek Fine Art owner Jeannie Swayne prepare her new Main Street location. The business will now house a gallery in addition to framing and digital services.

JOHN DAY – Moon Creek Fine Art has moved to 155 W. Main Stree, former home of Pebble Creek Apparel, just east of the Outpost Restaurant.

The new location provides for about 1,300 square feet of gallery space, providing for expansion of the business.

“This move is about contributing to the local community and economy,” said owner Jeannie Swayne.

“We have an amazing product to export that has barely been tapped … the natural view and the artist’s view,” she added.

“The artist community is one of our finest local resources.”

Moon Creek has already been providing large-scale digital printing and framing services at its Northwest Dayton Street location the past two years. The move will expand offerings to include a pottery studio and a fine art gallery.

“I want this to be a community space, an art and cultural hub for Grant County,” Swayne said.

A monthly art walk, in coordination with the Grant County Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses, is also in the works.

Featured artists for the gallery’s opening are Mytchell Mead, Hans Magden, Patricia Ross and Jackie Sario.

Swayne said she is thrilled to be representing such artists and said that Moon Creek is looking to maintain a high caliber of artwork.

Mead said his work has been well received at galleries in Bend and Portland and is “excited to be able to show here in my home town,” he said.

“The Chamber and other economic development efforts are getting Grant County noticed … tourist traffic is on the rise.”

Even after the initial opening, the gallery will continue to add artists in preparation for the tourist season.

Mead will do much of the work to coordinate the artists.

“I am looking forward to a great season,” he added.

Moon Creek Fine Art is currently viewing artwork for representation in the gallery, which will open by spring. Pieces will continue to be hung throughout the winter.

Framing and digital services are open now.

For details, call Swayne at 541-620-1743 or Mead at 541-575-0284 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.