Perry art scene gets new addition as Village Louvre gallery opens

PERRY — Perry’s first privately-owned art gallery is now open, and the owners hope it will become a local beacon for artistic expression.

Village Louvre co-owner Karen Sisk estimated around 100 people in attendance on opening night. People were packed in the gallery space and walls were covered with colorful works, mostly paintings, drawings and photography.

The Carroll Street gallery is owned equally by four local artists: Sisk, Steve Arnold, Susan Arrington and Cathy Compton. At the moment, Sisk said the gallery features their work in order to build a relationship with local collectors.

Sisk specializes in portraits. Arnold is passionate about nature and landscape photography. Compton loves painting nature, waterscapes and animals. Arrington is the newest on the scene, painting colorful still lifes.

All four are retired, and in February of this year decided it was time to open the gallery.

“It happened really quick. We got going and found a location. We all thought it’s better than sitting in your rocking chair at 90 saying, ‘I wonder if that would have worked?’” Sisk said during an interview with The Houston Home Journal.

Although the gallery is solely their work for now, Sisk said they plan to branch out and feature other local talent, which fits perfectly into the city’s blossoming art scene.

Over the years, events and organizations have offered multiple opportunities in the creative realm.

Until 2024, the city of Perry hosted annual “Art in the Park” events, and then in 2025, the Perry Arts Council took the baton and organized a “Plein Air” painting day.

For both events, local artists were invited to use Perry as inspiration and paint outside. Finished work was showcased in a gallery for the 2025 event.

The Perry Arts Council, along with Lush Art, are two local organizations that make creating art accessible. 

Perry Arts Council was founded in 2025 and so far has offered workshops and unique events that power creativity, such as a drum circle in September of last year, and creative crafts during monthly meetings.

Lush Art, a local studio, hosts open hours and themed painting classes. 

The city also has an upcoming mural scene. Aaron Munn, a local artist and graphic designer, painted an iconic representation of the City of Perry on the corner of Carroll Street and Ball Street in 2020. Most recently, the Perry Players unveiled a mural in progress at their building on Main Street.

Finally, the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce has always featured local talent on merchandise for the Dogwood Festival, but this year took it a step further and featured a plein air painting event and local arts and crafts vendors.

The artists at the Village Louvre have been in the scene and creating for years, and are now excited to have a central home to showcase local work. 

Sisk is hopeful that avenues for creativity will continue to grow in the city alongside the gallery.

“We’re trying to put our best foot forward, to say ‘Hey, this is us,’” Sisk said. “We keep striving to do better, and create more.”

According to Sisk, who described the Village Louvre as a tiny museum, the best way to support the gallery is to check out their work. They also take commissions.

“We want them to have the freedom to come in, look around, stay as long as they need to make a decision,” Sisk said.

The Village Louvre is located at 736 Carroll Street and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.