In The Fountain Hills Times on May 7 I read a letter to the editor praising the Emerson Art Gallery right here in town. The letter was captioned “Hidden jewel.”

Since I had never heard of it, I continued reading until I read that it was open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. This stopped me cold. I had settled in Scottsdale 50 years ago and am very familiar with art galleries, but I had never heard of one being open 7 to 7.

On an impulse I drove directly there arriving at 7:10 a.m. The doors were unlocked and the gallery was open. The logical explanation for the 7 to 7 is all of the offices surrounding the gallery were starting to open as their employees arrived.

I slowly wandered through the hallways, an atrium and rooms trying not to miss any of these excellent examples of eclectic art. Michelle Beard is the director, and she keeps out submitted articles that are not up to her high standards.

I found that I knew many of the artists, and respected them. I asked the receptionist at the desk what percentage did the gallery retain as commission when a piece sold. She said: “None, the artist keeps the full amount.” I also asked what the artist paid to display their works, and she replied: “Nothing.”

This gallery covers 2,500 square feet and shows the work of 30 local artists. It was started just seven months ago and is growing rapidly. Go see it. I highly recommend it. It is indeed “hidden,” but hidden in plain sight on the corner of Saguaro and Palisades boulevards.