Gallery owner Beverly Bishop talks with customers and family members at the grand opening of her gallery, Studio 325, in Radford. The building started as a theater about 1915 and remained a performance space until about 1953, Bishop said. "Once I found it was an old theater, I knew I was meant to be here," she says.

Photos by AMY MATZKE The Roanoke Times

Studio 325, a new gallery in Radford owned by artist Beverly Bishop, features three rooms of artwork.

RADFORD -- Beverly Bishop's work now has its own stage.

Bishop, an artist, writer and musician from Radford, opened a new gallery called Studio 325 last Saturday to display her paintings and sculptures.

"Art is a passion for me," Bishop said. "Artists should not stay in one range because our minds are so creative. I believe we shortchange ourselves and we should be brave enough to venture out."

Many of Bishop's paintings have words and music to go along with them, such as a piece called "Amelia." It was inspired by a counselor Bishop once had who dreamed of making it big on Broadway with a leading role in "Madame Butterfly."

Bishop writes mostly poetry and fiction and nonfiction with an Appalachian focus.

She said she struggles with depression and uses her art to help her cope instead of medication.

"I put my creativity to good use," Bishop said. "It's my life on canvas."

It took about a month to repaint the gallery space and install the artwork, she said. It was formerly the Beans and Rice Inc. office, which moved down the street. The building started as a theater about 1915 and remained a performance space until about 1953, Bishop said.

"Once I found it was an old theater, I knew I was meant to be here," she said. "Amelia now has her own stage."

John Fain, who knows Bishop but had never seen her work, said the sheer number of pieces in the gallery -- three rooms' worth -- amazed him.

"Her talent is so wonderful, and I didn't expect this much when I walked in," Fain said.

"You could come in five or six times and not notice all of the work here," he said.

Bishop said she credits her family and partner, Sherry Spencer, with helping her get the gallery started through their support and encouragement. Much of her work is dedicated to her family, she said.

"She's very good, gifted with painting," said Anna Kirk, Bishop's aunt. "I think she's really gotten into something good with this gallery."

Bishop kept most of the artwork in a spare bedroom until she saw the "for rent" sign in the building's window about three months ago.

Although the gallery is open, Bishop said it is not nearly complete. She plans to add live art and more sculpture and invite people in to create their own art, whether it's sculpting clay, painting, drawing, writing, singing.

"People need outlets. I don't teach anyone to paint -- it comes from here and here," Bishop said, pointing to her heart and her head.