Steady rain did not dampen spirits for the grand opening of the Laura Brady Gallery, Suite 3938, The Shops at 3900 Hamilton, Suite 3938, Allentown, South Whitehall Township.

“This dream has been in the making for many years for Laura and her family,” said Hayden Rinde, Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers, which serves East Penn, Western Lehigh and Southern Lehigh Chambers, as well as the Emmaus Main Street Partners, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“Even on a rainy day like today, Laura’s art is going to transport us all to a sunny warm day in a flower field,” Rinde said at the Sept. 23 event.

On hand to wish her well were Frank Heston, Lehigh Valley Regional President, Mid Penn Bank, various area Chamber of Commerce members, South Whitehall Township Commissioner Diane Kelly, business owner Kevin Dellicker, and State Representatives Mike Schlossberg (D-132) and Ryan E. Mackenzie (R-187).

Singer Sharon Pires provided music entertainment.

Laura Brady Gallery is home to Brady’s studio, a pair of galleries featuring her artwork, and a workshop area for art instruction. Her son Connor is an exhibiting photographer.

Brady draws much of her inspiration for her floral works from the flower garden she and her husband Joel cultivate at their Lynn Township home. She also paints images of birds, woodland animals, skyscapes and water scenes.

Her “Something Blue Collection” features the artist’s most recent works. “Heaven: Something Blue III” (2023; oil on canvas, 36 in. x 48 in.) celebrates blue hydrangeas.

“Through my exploration of nature, I seek to host a new perspective drawn from the inspiration of the wonder of creation,” says Brady.

Brady received a BFA in Communication Design with three areas of concentration in graphic design, advertising, and illustration in 2001 from Kutztown University.

Laura Brady Gallery, Shops at 3900 Hamilton, Suite 3938, Allentown. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday. 610-849-3432; laurabradygallery.com