It's hard to tell who's more excited about Branford Cultural Arts Alliance's new BACA Pop-Up Art Gallery on the Branford green -- the artists, or the people who have been popping in to browse whenever the doors have been open for set-up.

Both sides of the coin were on display June 18, when Zip06/The Sound visited the exceptional, temporary gallery created in the stunning, spacious interior of the former Denali store at 1004 Main St. Officially opening on Thursday, July 1, BACA's pop-up gallery is expected to be a big downtown draw during its summer run through August, 2021. The gallery will be open to the public each Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free.

"The property owner, Mr. Vigliotti, has been very gracious," said BACA co-founder Frank Carrano of the temporary use arrangement.

Carrano noted the Vigliotti family has also allowed BACA to creatively use areas of premiere retail site for some recent special events such as this spring's Art Walk Window Gallery, last December's BACA/Branford Garden Club holiday windows display, and as a staging location for BACA during last November's "Painted Doors of Branford" event.

This time, the doors are open to bring viewers inside with the art. The gallery is set up in nearly 4,000 square feet of space that's backed by display walls of natural woods and industrial steel elements and lit with plenty of natural light and delicate, directional lighting that's part of the interior design of the retail space. Speaking of retail, all artwork in the gallery can be purchased, Carrano said. A portion of proceeds benefit non-profit BACA.

BACA member Jay Babina, a noted plien air artist and shoreline art instructor, is one of 30 exhibitors who has curated a display in the gallery.

"What a fantastic space – and I've been to a lot of galleries. It might be the nicest gallery I've seen in the tri-state area, and on a main street of traffic," said Babina. "A place like this offers Branford a visitation place, where you can come and say 'Let's check out the gallery.' It's fun."

Nearby, photographer Robert Thomas was taking in views of the newly-filled gallery, which includes one wall space featuring several of his large landscape images printed on canvas, all beautifully enhanced with a turn of a few of the shop's many small, suspended directional lights.

"Can you think of a better space, with the lights?" Thomas asked. "I came in last week to aim lights, and I thought, 'You couldn't find a better spot.' And the location. My wife's work is over there – Regina Thomas – she does cold wax and oil and collage; and we when we used to live in New Haven, she was part of the Elm City Artists cooperative art group. They'd have periods where they could exhibit in [Yale] retail space. This space is unbelievable."

The space was definitely what grabbed the attention of other artists who jumped at the chance to exhibit here. Most saw it for the first time during a Sunday open house hosted by BACA a few weeks back, said Carrano.

"Through our social media and other outlets, we invited artists to an open house to look at space and decide if they were interested in exhibiting here; and we filled up that very day," said Carrano, adding the exhibitors are a mix of local, state-wide and even one or two out-of-state artists.

The gallery space is certainly appreciated by Molly S. McDonald, an award-winning artist and retired Guilford High School art educator who specializes in abstract and representational paintings and works in oils and watercolors.

"Big, bold and simple is my way," said McDonald, who's showing both large-scale abstracts done in colorful oils and small en plein air watercolor paintings.

McDonald also said she's thrilled to display her work among so many talented artists of many mediums.

"With this opportunity, I think the bar has been raised for Branford. I'm very excited about it," said McDonald. "It's a really high quality exhibit. The artists are really professional."

The gallery's range of artwork includes paintings in a mix of mediums and disciplines, sculptures of several scales and materials, works of three-dimensional art, pieces done pottery, stunning photography, eclectic jewelry and more.  The mix of mediums and the caliber of the work on display isn't lost on another of its exhibitors, Sylvia Drewery of Pine Orchard, who paints in water colors. Her delicate, framed works hang next to several refined, framed works by artist Marc-Anthony Massaro, known for his work as an accomplished painter, sculptor and educator.

"I'm next to the master, which made me quake," said Drewery, adding, "I think this gallery is very special. A lot of work has gone into it. It's also very special for what it's done for the street."

"This gallery is all part of the mission of BACA," said Carrano. "We want to give artists an opportunity to show their work. There are very few opportunities for artists. Most don't have a formal studio. Without something like this, they wouldn't have an opportunity to provide the public with access to their work."

That's definitely what encouraged jewelry artist Sophia Gentile to join the gallery. Gentile designs and creates beaded embroidery jewelry, mostly earrings and bracelets, using beads sourced from around the world as well as antique beads. While the pieces may be small, she said she's glad to be adding to the atmosphere and offerings available at the gallery.

"I just decorated my display," she said of the tabletop highlighting her work beside a large storefront window. "Art is such an essential part of who we are as humans, so I'm very happy to be here and be part of the team."

All-volunteer BACA got its start in 2013 as an idea Carrano had to help bring cultural arts experiences to the community through a myriad of special programs, gatherings, exhibits and other opportunities which would also help to showcase the work of local artists. The BACA Pop-Up Art Gallery is a major step forward, he said.

"It's very exciting," said Carrano. "It's a major step for BACA. We're not moving into the major leagues yet; but we feel we're the minor leagues now -- and on the Main Street."