Catching up: Off the beaten track, gallery turns to creative marketing

Art Source opened in April at a south Reno design center, far from the downtown Reno cluster of art galleries.

Since then, owner Christel Citko has taken a new approach to marketing as well.

Charity fundraisers drew healthy turnouts for receptions.

October saw a fundraiser for the Reno Chamber Orchestra,Music for Your Eyes.November drew 350 people to bid on works donated by 43 artists to benefit Houses for Habitat.

December saw a cocktail reception staged by the American Red Cross.

Of charity events, publicist Patty Melton says,"We believe it brings people in.When we give to the community, it makes people want to give back."

When Citko opened Art Source, she stocked a large inventory of paintings and sculpture.

But she's found that many people prefer their own pieces.

She now has converted the entire second floor loft, roughly half the business space, to a framing center which provides about 70 percent of revenues.

In addition to art and photos, people bring in an array of memorabilia that framing designer Donna Antraccoli mounts: silverware sets, antique church door keys, lace and beaded purses among them.