Losing site of beauty, love

When the Sage Moon Gallery closes next week (temporarily, it is to be hoped), Char-lottesville’s Downtown Mall will lose more than a contributor to its commercial fabric.

The larger community also will lose a partner in cultural and civic events that have benefited myriad causes.

And the community, and individual visitors to the gallery, will lose a place of magic.

The owners hope to find a smaller, more affordable space on the Mall. Here’s hoping they do.

“We can no longer afford to stay in this location,” said Morgan MacKenzie-Perkins, the gallery’s director and partner (“Sage Moon Gallery setting at Downtown Mall location,” The Daily Progress, Dec. 5). “We won’t be able to stay in this space, which is breaking our hearts. It’s the economy.”

It’s breaking others’ hearts, too.

The Sage Moon space at 420 E. Main St has a spacious and airy main floor that permits effective display of large works of art. A mezzanine area provides a more intimate setting. And the basement, which some proprietors might have viewed as mere storage space, has been transformed with a variety of decorative painting techniques and other touches — mirrors in alcoves, faux stuccoed walls — into something resembling a Mediterrenean courtyard.

The owners’ love for their work and their gallery seems to adhere to the walls and reflect back to visitors.

The owners’ love for the community reflects in their many efforts to support cultural and other events. The gallery is a popular place for receptions and fundraisers, and was slated to host upcoming events for First Night Virginia on Dec. 31, the International Food and Wine Festival in January, the Festival of the Book in March and the Festival of the Photograph in June.

It is to be hoped that the owners find new space, on the Mall or off, that fits their needs.

There is little doubt that, if they do, they will fill it with the same level of quality of personal, emotional investment that have made their current space so extraordinary.

Good to start low

It’s a rare event when a government project comes in under bid.

But that’s just what has happened with the Meadowcreek Parkway.

The low bid of $11.8 million was below expectation. It’s excellent news for the often delayed, but much needed project .

A low bid isn’t necessarily the best bid. But as officials launch a review to ensure that all components for building the road have been included, a low bid is an excellent place to start.