Terrel Jones has opened an art studio and gallery in Troy.

Troy artist fulfills dream with new gallery

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

Troy artist Terrel Jones is fulfilling a dream.

She's opened an art gallery featuring her paintings.

"I wanted to do this for so long," said Jones, who for 23 years taught art and Spanish in Troy Public Schools. "I think our community needs an art gallery. Art is such an important element to the development of the human character."

Terrel Jones Art Studio and Gallery is set up in Troy's mini-mall between Booze 'N Bait and Northwest Montana Real Estate. Jones doesn't have regular hours yet, but when she's working in her studio, anyone is welcome.

"A lot of people stop by when I'm here," she said.

Jones plans to open for business by Labor Day weekend.

Terry Herman of Troy, who owns one of Jones' paintings, is pleased to see the gallery in town.

"It's just beautiful in there," said Herman, who teaches reading and math at W.F. Morrison Elementary School in Troy. "It's been a dream of hers for a long time and she's finally able to do it. I think it's a great addition to Troy."

Jones took advantage of an opportunity. After selling her home, she needed a place for her studio. That's when she rented the storefront for a studio and gallery.

"I had no place to work," Jones said.

The 58-year-old concentrates on oil paintings. She specializes in landscapes and figures.

"I have several in my collection with legs, feet, shoes and fabrics that I call my portrait series," she said. "When I was a little girl, I was always attracted to shoes. I loved color and combinations of color. I just think what we wear is as much a statement of who you are."

Jones appreciates patterns and colors in fabrics.

"Color is of real interest to me and it's also a challenge to be that intricate," she said.

Jones also paints trees. She usually paints a section of a tree - the trunk, roots or something abstract that has to do with a tree's cell structure.

Jones hopes to feature other local artwork.

"We have some excellent artists," she said.

Jones also would like to have a show for students in Troy schools and hopes to offer classes in drawing and painting.

She grew up in Snoqualmie Valley, Wash., and studied art education at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

While living in Peru for 10 years, Jones taught art at a private British school. She and her former husband had two daughters, Alexandra and Jennifer.

Jones in 1979 returned to the states. She earned her degree in art education from Western Montana College in Dillon and moved to Troy in 1983 after getting a teaching position. Jones continued with her education, earning a master's degree in painting.

Although she retired in 2005, Jones taught Spanish last fall and will teach Spanish again this fall.