Alessandro’s Opens International Art Gallery in Historic Downtown Salem, Oregon

"A commitment to the arts, not just visual arts but all the creative arts, is crucial to a vibrant downtown,” - Roger Yost, Alessandro's

Alessandro's attractive historic building sets the stage for a world-class art gallery inside. Photos: Bonnie King

(SALEM) - Roger Yost has opened Alessandro’s Galleria, an international art gallery located at Alessandro's Ristorante in historic downtown Salem. The new gallery will be the exclusive regional distributor for several world-class artists.

Yost has been purchasing art for the gallery since last fall. 110 paintings, limited-edition giclees and sculptures have been installed for the initial gallery opening.

The lighting and décor has been updated to reflect the new gallery setting, as well as to enhance the dining experience, Yost said.

The first pieces of the collection included Thomas Stiltz, a still life painter who concentrates on wine bottles, and Tim Rogerson, a whimsical young artist out of Florida who depicts people in entertainment venues, chefs and waiters.

“That art fit the Alessandro’s environment,” Yost said. However, as he viewed the works of other artists, the collection soon swelled to include Viktor Shvaiko, Emanuel Mattini, Denard Stalling and many others who are active in the international art scene.

Prices of the art will vary, said Yost, from about $300 for small pieces and some giclees, to oils that might begin at $1500. A giclee (zhee-CLAY) is an individually produced, high-resolution, high-fidelity, high tech reproduction done on a special large format printer.

The works of celebrated English artist Raymond Campbell will be priced in the $2000-$3000 range; major works by Sabzi and New Yorker Samantha Keely Smith will be priced above $12,000, he said.

Salem is ready for a world-class art gallery, said Yost. “We already have an excellent regional gallery with Mary Lou Zeek. Now Alessandro’s Galleria fills another niche for art lovers,” said Yost. He expects that because of the scope of the artists, Alessandro’s will become a destination gallery for those in Portland and nearby cities.

A Salem developer and former vice president of Jantzen Swimwear, Yost owns Capitol Center Tower, the Reed Opera House, The Apartments at Cinnamon Lakes, as well as Alessandro’s Ristorante.

His interest in art and urban renewal are intertwined. “We believe that Salem is where the Pearl District in Portland was before it took off. A commitment to the arts, not just visual arts but all the creative arts, is crucial to a vibrant downtown,” said Yost.

The Reed Opera House is one example of Yost’s approach. “We’ve got a unique retail and business mix at the Reed that illustrates how arts and business can intermingle,” he said. “The Alessandro’s Ristorante and Galleria bring even more to the table.”

The new gallery will be open regular restaurant hours as well as the hours between lunch and dinner, when coffee, tea, dessert and wine will be served, Yost said.

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