A new gallery has opened in downtown’s Arts District on the 100 block of Gay Street. Sienna Art Gallery and Gifts, located at 129 Gay Street in the space most recently occupied by Daché Boutique (and before that, Double S Wine Bar), hosted its grand opening on First Friday last week.
The working studio and exhibition space is run by watercolor artist Gayla Seale alongside fiber artist Judi Gaston and painter Blanche Nicoll.
When I stopped in yesterday, Gayla was at her easel, working on a commissioned watercolor of the Medical Arts Building.
Previously, Gayla and Judi had studio spaces across the street at the Emporium, where they’d been for six and nearly 20 years, respectively. A policy change limiting lease terms made it necessary for them to relocate.
“I was trying to stay downtown in the Arts District,” Gayla said. “But there’s not that many spaces that become available.”
While they cast a wide net in their search, even considering a move to West Knoxville, they ultimately didn’t have to look far. Gayla spotted the vacancy on the street level of 129 Gay Street while walking by.
“I just happened to see that it had emptied,” she said. “And then it sort of dawned on me—oh, there’s a space.”
Gayla partnered with Judi and later brought in Blanche, an emerging artist. The three now share the gallery as both a workspace and retail environment, adding to the walkable downtown art scene following recent storefront closures of RALA and Paris Woodhull Illustrations.
“All the work in here from me, Judi, and Blanche, we produce here,” Gayla said. “We’ve got our setups in the back where we can work on our art, and then as we finish, we put it out.”
Alongside original works, smaller prints and greeting cards make Sienna an easy stop for gifts.
The gallery also plans to rotate in guest artists, adding to the mix. Currently, work from Cynthia Markert’s distinctive collection occupies the front of the space. “Our plan is to have invited artists come in and bring their work, and we’ll mix it in with ours,” she said.
Gayla’s own work, watercolor cityscapes and architectural studies, is anchored by her ongoing “Where Squares” series, displayed on a custom-built wall in the center of the space.
Judi’s work ranges from handwoven garments to pieces made from recycled materials, including plastic bags and newspaper.
Blanche began her artistic practice in 2023 after a career in adult education, working across oil, acrylic and charcoal while continuing to develop her style.
Regular opening hours are still evolving. For now, the gallery is open during posted times and events—if you see the sign out on the sidewalk, stop in!—with plans to expand into more consistent weekly hours in the coming months.
Gayla also offers private watercolor instruction for individuals and small groups.
Learn more at the gallery’s website.
Discover more from Inside of Knoxville
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.