Robyn Parker Feehan, originally from New Zealand, moved to Frisco with her husband in 2004. When she was younger, Feehan said she remembers walking into an art gallery in Australia and knowing that being part of the art world was what she wanted for her life.

“I think it’s incredible how people can just create,” she said. “Some people copy pictures and they do an excellent job, but others will create something that comes out of their very spirit and mind.”

Feehan opened thegallery8680 in 2009 in Frisco, and the first exhibit featured art from Collin College students. Since then, the gallery has presented seven to nine art shows a year.

“I always had a vision there would be a place that would facilitate local artists, and I wanted to see visual arts developed in Frisco,” said Feehan, who is the gallery’s creative director.

The gallery is located on Main Street and shares a space with True North Church. Feehan has converted the gallery into a nonprofit and partnered with the Frisco Arts Association.

The gallery hosts a variety of shows that feature one or multiple artists.

For group shows, Feehan decides a theme and calls for artists to submit work based on that theme.

“Artists have different work and work with different [media], so I want to have a cohesive theme running through the show while showcasing each individual artist,” Feehan said.

The gallery used to be open several times a week, but there was not a big turnout during the week so Feehan decided to keep the gallery open only on Sundays 2-4 p.m. The gallery is also open during reception nights in which the artists talk about their work.

“I don’t think there’s enough people in Frisco that know that we exist, and I think that’s a big problem,” Feehan said. “My vision is to have a great art community and for the city to have more galleries.”

thegallery8680
8680 Main Street, Ste. E1, Frisco
214-585-8175
www.thegallery8680.com