Gallery 101 celebrated its Grand Opening with a viewing on Friday, March 24. The newest addition to the ever growing cultural area of downtown LaBelle superbly captures a perfect blend of rustic and antique decor infused with an upscale and sophisticated ambience that reflects beautifully the life and history of artist and co-owner Marcos Ruiz. While there were a handful of guest artists featured in the show, the majority of pieces were Ruiz’s own exquisite impressionist style paintings depicting the story of his life and those closest to him, including family and friends. True to his artistic styling, which included works of art in mediums ranging from latex and acrylic on canvas, wood, and even cardboard, the Grand Viewing celebration was a smorgasbord to the senses: A blending of small town charm as invited guests gathered around the backyard reception area adorned with antique wooden benches, an enormous wooden table and a masterpiece of a chandelier constructed of antlers, contrasted by waiters greeting the mingling crowd with hors d’oeuvres of the highest quality, an endless supply of vino, and live music played while guest artist, Carlos Inocente Gonzalez painted a mural live, and all the while roosters perched on top of large wooden post observed the awestruck visitors. You’ll definitely want to stop in and take a look for yourself. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Saturday and is located at 95 East Fort Thompson Avenue in LaBelle. The gallery can be reached by phone at 863-777-2225 or email at mr@gallery101atlabelle.com