Two Cooperative Art Galleries Paint Saratoga's Big Basin Way

They reside on the same street and are lovers of the arts.

Aegis Gallery of Fine Arts and Gallery Saratoga are situated about two blocks away from each other, at 14531 and 14435-A Big Basin Way. Both run on a cooperative model, meaning that all the members are also owners.

Gallery Saratoga, which has been around for 25 years, is a cooperative fine arts center that features works from Saratoga and South Bay artists. They range from acrylic painting to wood tuning, with a new display every month.

“We’re currently displaying a collage on watercolor art but there’s no particular theme, just an assortment from various artists,” said President Richard Bloechl, one of about 25 members.

Bloechl, who lives in Campbell, is a watercolor artist himself. “I’d describe it as impressionistic realism. I try to infuse my feelings into my art,” he said.

Gallery Saratoga is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Aegis Gallery has been around for more than 20 years. As with Gallery Saratoga, the number of people that trickle in on a daily basis varies. On a sleepy Thursday in November, there was next to no one during the day, said 18-year member Mel Rabedeau, who was working behind the counter.

But when there is a reception for a new exhibition, the gallery is often packed. Until Nov. 17, the Aegis Gallery features an “Art from the Air: 3 Artists Look at the World From Above.”

Kay Duffy, Floy Zittin and Terri Hill are the featured artists. Aegis Gallery is open noon-4 p.m. Wednesday; noon-7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; and it's closed Monday and Tuesday.

“Artists flew over the South Bay, and then did paintings based on the images that they took,” said Rabedeau, one of 19 members of the cooperative.

The front room of the gallery features a different exhibit every month, while the remaining gallery is changed every three months. Next up will be a “Holiday Group Show” on Nov. 27, exhibiting work from all the artists.

Both galleries accept membership applications on a continuing basis.