Storefront becomes art gallery

APPLETON - Some area students are blending way their art work with empty storefronts.

The scene is E. College Avenue in Appleton near Lawrence University. Students cleaned up an empty business space and made it ready to show off artwork. They're calling it the Rabbit Gallery.

At Tuesday's grand opening, organizers said they hope that improving the vacant space will make the property more attractive to sell or lease.

Students say it began as a class idea.

"This is actually talking what we've learned in the classroom and putting it into practice,“ Lawrence art student Sydney Pertl said. “It’s using my Lawrence education to get this gallery up and running in our community."

The gallery has more than 60 pieces of art from 20 artists on display.