Copperas Cove art gallery to showcase local artists | Local News

The free event on July 11 will give attendees the opportunity to meet and interact with many of the artists whose work will be on display. There will also be live music. Carlos Armas, owner, described it as a family event and said, “Everybody is welcome to come.”

The space, which is across the road from KFC and Shipley’s Do-Nuts, has been open for about a year, but prior to now Armas said it only offered events by appointment. Open mic nights, yoga lessons and art classes are some of the events that have been offered in the past. Now it will house a gallery that is open to the public regularly.

Armas, who works as an art teacher with Killeen ISD, grew up in New York prior to moving to the Killeen area. “Growing up,” he said, “I used to go to galleries and see artwork.” After living in this area, he realized there was a shortage of artistic opportunities in the area. The new gallery in Copperas Cove gives him, and other local artists, a chance to showcase their works.

Artists on display range from 12-year-old students in his class making their first foray into art to people that have been painting for decades. Armas said he originally only had plans to house approximately 10 artists, but after a post on social media garnered a lot of attention, he is making room for the nearly 30 who have reached out to be involved.

He said his main goal with the gallery is to promote local artists and “just spread art throughout the community.”