The evening is the first in a series of events that will extend through 2013 to mark the landmark anniversary of the gallery, which was started in 1978.

“Many, many people in the community have put their time, financial contributions and elbow grease into the Upstairs over the years,” McMinn said. “This is a time to celebrate the end result of their dedication, which is a contemporary art gallery that we can all be proud of.”

Tickets are available at the Upstairs, located at 49 S. Trade St. in Tryon, as well as at Tryon House and La Bouteille beer and wine boutique. Upstairs members are entitled to a discount.

For more information, email frontdesk@upstairsartspace.org, or call 859-2828 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

– article submitted by Harold Maass