Jackson Free Press

Hidden above the Highway 61 Coffeehouse in Vicksburg, the Attic Gallery is an artistic wonderland. In October, Lesley Silver will celebrate her 40th year collecting artwork for the gallery, located in the room above Daniel Boone's (her husband's) café.

In 1971, Silver felt inspired to start an art gallery. "We wondered where people got to see art, and we couldn't think of anything," Silver says.

When the Attic Gallery opened, it had only 15 art pieces from California, where Silver had vacationed that year. The owner of Comsky Gallery, no longer in business, started Silver's business by sending artwork to hang. Silver wanted people to see artwork from all over the world. In the 1980s, Silver began bringing in southern regional artwork.

The eclectic gallery now features original work from at least forty artists. You'll find jewelry made of freshwater pearls, locally mined opals wrought with bronze, silver or gold. Poor Julia Allen, a Jackson artist, brings in welded sculptures made from discarded metal. Thumb through a scrapbook made of quilt and dollies, courtesy of Elayne Goodman and buy birdhouses and crosses made from bottle caps popped off beer bottles.

In celebration of the gallery's birthday, on Oct. 14, Silver will open up her house located above the Attic Gallery (1101 Washington St., Vicksburg) and exhibit 40 artworks, one for every year the gallery has been open.

For information call 601-638-9221.