Carlisle’s newest arts attraction is The Open Perch, a gallery at 595 W. Louther St. founded by Carley Zarzeka ’15, a post-baccalaureate fellow with the Art and Art History Department. Zarzeka began work on the space in September and will host the first show there on Friday, Oct. 8.

According to the The Open Perch’s website, the gallery will be available to all Dickinson College Students as well as residents of the Carlisle and greater Harrisburg areas. In addition to art openings, The Open Perch will also host music events and literary gatherings, stressing Zarzeka’s goal of including artists with diverse interests and mediums.

The first art show is an installation by Stephan Sieg ’16 on Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. and the second art show features small works by many artists in a variety of media on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. There will also be a story-sharing event on October 12 with the theme “Got Milk?” Events are still being planned for November and December.

“My goal is to have as many different art-based events either in the space or sponsored by the space as possible this year so that at least one event will appeal to the wide variety of interest the students have,” Zarzeka said.

Zarzeka said she has “always been intrigued and inspired by” people who use the arts to build community, and wanted to explore community-based art projects during her fellowship. Zarzeka remodeled the studio she was given for her fellowship, dividing it into a personal workspace and communal gallery space.

Zarzeka’s priority for The Open Perch is empowering student artists who might not otherwise have access to showcase their work.

“I want students to find a sense of pride in the work they do along with ownership and support for work they and their peers are doing,” Zarzeka explained. “I want the students to feel like they are a part of this project just as much as I do, so that in the end it is a community project that revolves around the love for and of art.”

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis by email at [email protected].