Samples of recently deceased Santa Fe artist Maureen Freyne oils on canvas (20” X 20”) to be sold at the United Church Thrift Shop pop-up gallery this coming Wednesday, Jan. 31, 8:30-noon. Courtesy photo

More pieces of art to be offered at Wednesday’s pop-up gallery at the United Church Thrift Shop. Courtesy photo

BY GEORGIA STRICKFADEN

Thrift Shops receive a lot of really interesting donations to be resold.

To the astonishment of the volunteers last week, more than 30 original oils on canvas and wood by Santa Fe artist Maureen Freyne were found in the donation bins at the United Church Thrift Shop. Some are signed, and many measure 20” X 20”. Online research revealed that the modernist artist had died in 2022. It is surmised that her estate is being closed out. 

The Thrift Shop is too small to both store and display the art adequately, so the creative leaders of this community outreach decided to open a one-morning gallery where not only these paintings, but other donated wall-art pieces can better be seen and sold. 

It is intended that all art will go out the door, so it is priced to sell, and offers are in order.

The pop-up gallery will be set up this coming Wednesday, January 31, in the Christian Education Building adjacent to the Thrift Shop, at 2525 Canyon Road, in Los Alamos, and it will operate at the same time as the Thrift Shop:  8:30am – 12:30pm.

The United Church Thrift Shop is an all- volunteer endeavor of the Women’s Christian Service Society (WCSS), with all proceeds going to help a variety of charities and programs in New Mexico, including Los Alamos. 

Volunteers for sorting, pricing, organizing, cleaning, and working on the Wednesday sale days are always welcome, and can even get a jump on buying choice items. To volunteer, please contact the church office at 505-662-2971, or online at UnitedChurchLA.org, or find us at volunteerlosalamos.org, which is a service of Los Alamos Community Foundation.