To raise money for a mural outside the Rose City Art Gallery, located on 328 S. College Ave. in Tyler, the Palette of Roses Art League is inviting its members to paint on a 10x10 canvas to sell for $100 a piece. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The Palette of Roses Art League is taking over The Studio Art Lounge and renaming it Rose City Art Gallery.

“It’s a nonprofit art gallery, as well as a teaching space and community for artists to gather,” said Diane Reis, president of the Palette of Roses Art League. “It’s also much more open to the public.”

Originally owned by photography artist Amy Duquette, the Studio Art Lounge featured a relaxing space with a coffee and tea bar. When Duquette decided she did not want to pursue the space further, a collaborative effort led to the Palette of Roses taking over the lease.

“She brought in a lot of the art league artists to start a community where artists could come and work and have some classes,” Reis said.

The gallery will feature a diverse class schedule for artists of all levels. Art sales will primarily support the artists, and the league plans to apply for grants for further funding. Additionally, 13 league members are covering the lease and insurance for the gallery.

The gallery is also organizing a fundraiser to support a mural project on the exterior of the building, to be created by Brent Hale, the artist behind the mosaics at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. Reis hopes the project will get started in the next couple of weeks.

“This Saturday, our soft opening, we’re having a kickoff for the fundraiser and our artists have contributed 10-by-10 paintings that we will sell at $100 each,” she said. “We’re inviting the public to come and see what we’re all about.”

The art league was founded in 1952 by a group of artists who sought to educate, connect, and celebrate local talent through a series of programs and exhibitions. Over time, they established a partnership with the Texas Rose Festival and have become a prominent feature of the festival’s events. There had been times where membership fluctuated with high and low numbers and some years barely had any members.

“But we have worked on rebuilding the organization the last couple of years,” Reis said. “We’re close to 200 members now and ready to step into a new phase by opening up this gallery.”

Displayed in the gallery’s windows will be a project created by some of the league’s artists — Chihuly glass, which is celebrated for its vibrant colors and intricate sculptural forms. Created by the renowned artist Dale Chihuly, this distinctive art is recognized for its bold, imaginative designs and innovative techniques.

“It’s definitely one of those iconic pieces that once you know the name, you’ll see it everywhere,” Reis said.

Alicia Stanley, a league member known for her work with recycled materials, created a Chihuly-inspired chandelier using repurposed materials displayed inside the gallery.

“We have really exciting things that we can’t wait to show people,” Reis said. “We’ll have workshops on how you can use everyday materials to create art. That will be something really fun to explore and help people know that they don’t have to spend a lot of money to create art.”

The gallery will feature artwork exclusively from league members, showcasing a diverse range of mediums including pottery, jewelry, painting and sculpture.

“The gallery will continue to change as we get continuous new art in,” Reis said. “We have all of our local East Texas artists showcased in the gallery … with all kinds of mediums as well as classes to offer here.”

Continuing their collaboration with the Texas Rose Festival, the Palette of Roses Art League is preparing for its upcoming showcase, titled “Fanfare of Art,” which aligns with the festival’s ‘Fanfare of Festivals’ theme. The exhibit will feature over 300 pieces and will be held at the Tyler Rose Museum during the festival as well as the newly opened gallery.

“I’m excited for this,” Reis said. “All of our artists are excited. I think this really helps elevate the arts for East Texas. It gives us a space to showcase all the amazing talent that’s here.”

The Rose City Art Gallery, located at 328 S. College Ave. in Tyler, will host its soft opening this Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. and remain open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To become a member of league or be featured at the art gallery, visit www.paletteofrosesartleague.com for more information.