The Austin Area Art Center isn’t the only place for artists to display and sell their art in Mower County.

The LeRoy Center of the Creative Arts opened in June of 2009 as a spot for artists to sell their work on consignment. The center features both a retail store and an auditorium. The lower level features pieces from about 30 different vendors selling a vast variety of items including glass work, paintings, photographs, woodwork, needlework, vinyl dolls and jewelry.

“I wanted a variety and I wanted local,” said owner David Perkins. “The intent of this is to promote the local and regional arts.”

Perkins moved to LeRoy about seven years ago after being attracted to the community by favorable real estate prices. At first, he traveled to a number of craft shows, but he said there was something missing.

“I had the impression there was a lot of talent here — it wasn’t really getting out and into the world very well, so I thought I’d start this,” he said.

With LeRoy more than 30 miles from the nearest art gallery in places like Austin and Rochester, Perkins said the art scene in LeRoy lacked a real driving factor.

A number of artists were active through craft shows in the past, but Perkins said he didn’t think there was a focus in town.

Now local artists have a way to display their work. Since the center opened, the response has been very enthusiastic.

“Everybody like the idea of having an art gallery in a small town, and people start coming out of the wood work so to speak to have their stuff here,” he said.

Perkins works Monday through Wednesday at the Mayo Clinic as an escort and then he operates the LeRoy Center for the Creative Arts Thursday through Saturday.

Perkins bought the old Uptown Club and replaced the roof and added an apartment. After seeing other art galleries that incorporated a successful concert hall, he decided to add one to the second floor.

“It’s turned out to be a very, very nice auditorium,” he said.