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Mary Ann Boysen, Featured Artist

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Mary Ann Boysen, Featured Artist

September 11th, 2014 - Chagrin Falls, OH

Mary Ann Boysen will be the featured artist in a new gallery slated to open Sept. 17 in the fully restored Bodenheimer-Mayer House, 204 N. Columbus St., Lancaster, OH.

"We are going to be a fairly unique fine arts and antiques gallery in Lancaster, specializing in high-end furniture built in the Ohio River Valley region and with regional artists that have established national reputations," proprietor Deward Watts said. "It's going to be high-quality, and it's been a while since we've had a place in Lancaster quite like this."

The roughly 1,000-square-foot gallery also will showcase original glass, ceramics and art pieces, which Watts said will complement the furniture offerings. The pieces will be rotated on a continual basis.

"It will be primarily impressionism and realism pieces that will be on display," he said. "We want the art and antiques to work together."

Despite the museum-like atmosphere, Watts said, everything in the gallery will be for sale. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

"We've spent months looking at the lighting, the space and working on the renovations to make this a good experience," Watts said.

One of the reasons the property is of historical significance is the building is the last original working man's building standing in the original town, he said.

It was built by William Bodenheimer, a wheelwright and gunsmith, whose shop was about a block north on Columbus Street.

The renovation project also was one of 44 historic building renovation projects in 2012 that received tax credits, totaling $71,000 for historic preservation. The total cost of the renovation was estimated to be $343,500 in the application for the credits.

The building was vacant for about four years before Watts' renovation. On top of the gallery are two apartments.

"I hope that people will also understand that this represents what can be done with some of these old buildings," Watts said. "When I came in here, the plaster was falling from the walls, the fireplace was covered up. It was a mess."

The building was renovated to look as it did in the 1860s.

"He's done a tremendous job with this preservation project," said Kate Ervin, executive director of Destination Downtown Lancaster. "We've been trying to promote the businesses in downtown Lancaster, and this really raises the level for people who are interested in art and antiques."