Tucked away in a corner of the old McAllister building on East Dobbins Landing, halfway between Smugglers’ Wharf and Rum Runners, is a great little shop, appropriately called ‘The Bayfront Gallery’.  The location is one of the last remaining spots on the bayfront that hasn’t been touched by the redevelopment gnomes….yet.

The Bayfront Gallery is only open summers, which means you need to make plans soon to stop in for a visit.

The final show of the season just opened, and will run until October 18th.  Several artists are featured, and the pieces being displayed in the two main rooms are worlds apart.

One room showcases ‘Images of 1969′, and the ‘Ron Holstein Collection’, which visits ‘Forty Years of Folk Art.’

Filling the other room is a priceless display of Op Art, a style of art which was prevalent in the 60′s and 70′s.  The paintings, serigraphs, and other forms will trick your eyes into seeing what isn’t on the surface, and amaze you with the talent of the three artists who are represented.

Roy Ahlgren, Richard Anuskiewicz, and Carl Sundberg are all recognized  in international circles as among the finest creators of this art genre, and are represented in many important galleries and private collections around the world.  All three men are Erie natives.

Mr. Ahlgren worked at the Marx Toy Company, and created much of the artwork for advertising and boxes to hold the toys.  He then taught art at Erie Tech until his retirement, all the while creating his unmistakably unique art as a sideline.  At 82, he is still prolific as an artist, well-known now for his hard-edge style landscapes.

"Homage to the Cross" Serigraph by Roy Ahlgren 1968

The Bayfront Gallery show will continue through October 18th, from Thursday through Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm.