SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) – The ARTrageous Art Hub in Sherman re-opened on Saturday in a bigger space downtown, with new spaces and opportunities for local artists to get involved.

“We have a lot of talented people here, and I want to showcase it here in the creative hub,” owner Nichele Wells said.

After originally opening the hub this summer, Wells said their space was starting to feel cramped.

“I had a downtown business owner give me a buzz and said that this space that we’re in right now is open, so I jumped at the chance and here we are,” Wells said. “Honestly, we’re getting full now.”

She said the new 1,200-square-foot space in downtown Sherman will help bring local artists like Stephanie Anderson together.

“It’s great to have a local community of artists,” Anderson said. “For me as an artist, just to get my stuff out there and have eyes on it, is amazing.”

It’s not just visual art. With the bigger space, there’s now a lounge and a multi-purpose studio that Wells said will be used for things like her “Hitting the Streets” podcast and open mic nights for local poets and musicians.

“There’s a lot of things that we’re going to bring together regarding creativity and art culture, so I’m hoping we’ll have more people come because now we have a bigger space,” Wells said.

There is also a space for in-house printing for local artists, thanks to a collaboration with Timothy Rainer and his “Living Grey Collective.”

“We’ll be able to sell original art as well as limited edition prints and sculptures,” Rainer said. “It’s a curated art gallery ultimately.”

Jennifer Luney with the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco said what Wells is doing with the hub is a huge step in the right direction for the art culture in Grayson County.

“Artists need a collective, artists need a community,” Luney said. “That’s what Chele is bringing to the area, and I’m so glad she was able to expand the space.”

The move now represents a bigger home for local artists and more opportunities coming for a blossoming art community in Texoma.

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