Yost Gallery Opening Draws Crowd of 500

More than 500 people streamed into the Roger Yost Gallery in Downtown Salem after Mayor Anna Peterson cut a ceremonial floral ribbon to celebrate the grand opening.

The art gallery, believed to be the largest in the Pacific Northwest, did not disappoint the enthusiastic throng. There were attractions for children as well as adults.

More than 175 paintings and sculptures by internationally collectible artists were on display in the converted bank space of Salem’s tallest building, the Capitol Center, 388 State Street.

One visitor, Raul Mercier of Oakville, Ontario, an art dealer who has visited more than 400 galleries nationwide during the last 10 years, said the Yost Gallery “with its international art, high ceilings and elegant interior rivals the best galleries in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.”

“The Roger Yost Gallery in actuality is 10 separate galleries,” said Rebecca Maitland, curator and managing director.

Among them are a Disney Fine Art Gallery that includes the inaugural collection of paintings inspired by Pixar animated films. Another, called “Moods of a Woman,” includes multiple works by international art stars Taras Loboda, Sabzi, Oleg Zhivetin, George Tsui, and Irene Sheri.

In the massive bank vault was a collection called “Art of the Sea” by Inessa and Michael Garmash, Peter Ellenshaw, Wilfred Lang, Vladimir Volegov and Sophie Sirot, along with an excellent presentation of art glass.