Monti & Blou, Adventure Bound Once Again
By Gerlind Dubey (10-03-2008)
Jay Monti opened Monti’s Gallery in Ellicottville shortly after retiring from teaching in the Bradford School System. The Gallery added a new and exciting facet to our ski town which at that time was in need of visual arts to attract visitors.
Sadly Ellicottville is loosing Monti’s Gallery. Owner Jay Monti is closing the doors of his art gallery-framing shop at the end of October- leaving Ellicottville with a terrible void. Jay Monti was influential in exposing viewers to not only world famous artists such as Yuroz; he supported and displayed many local artists. Not to mention aiding the Ellicottville Memorial Library in adding art to their curriculum.
Jay Monti’s scenic photography and portrait work, the paintings of local Barbara Fox; nationally known for her watercolors and illustrations. Susi McCormack’s, mixed media hand crafted whimsical clay sculptures, Lynn Timon’s oils and much more will be greatly missed. The Gallery was a haven for inspiration unlike any other in the village.
Reasons for closing are numerous; economics for one, age another; the 24/7 week schedule of running a business gives Jay little time to pursue his passion for photography.
Though Jay is closing his doors he and his best four legged friend Blou will still be a viable asset to his friends at the Market place and Ellicottville. Jay and Blou are planning to assist Tommy O’Connor at Ellicottville’s premier toy store SHH, and Val at Everything Ellicottville.
Jay wants to assure all that Code Blou will still be enforced. Code Blou named after his recued border collie, is Jays way of giving back to a friend in need, The Pet Emergency Fund, which is an animal assistance organization that helps defray the cost of emergency veterinary care for pet owners unable to meet the full cost of service. It is designed to assist in emergency situations for otherwise healthy animals.
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