WESTERLO — The quaint white carriage house at the corner of routes 401 and 405 in southern Albany County has been transformed into “A New Place for Art.”

Hope Konecny, the proprietor of The Gristmill, a studio for fencing, yoga and the arts, has expanded visual arts into a new space. A sculptor as well as a jeweler and painter, Konecny has invited other local artists to join her in running the gallery and art space as a cooperative.

A multi-media exhibit will open at the Big Eye Gallery on Aug. 9 and run through Aug. 30, with opening and closing receptions on both days from 1 to 4 p.m.

“The eye of the soul sees all,” said Konecny in a release, explaining how she chose the name of the gallery. “The Big Eye feels all and expresses what it sees and feels through art.”

Besides the exhibits, Konecny said she hopes the space will be used by artists for workshops and events to discover, create, and share their passion for art.

In addition to Konecny, artists featured in this show include:

— Lois Binetsky who creates unique ceramics and glass jewelry;

— Virginia Cantarella who creates abstract and realistic paintings in acrylic. A medical illustrator, she painted the six-foot eye that adorns the outside of the gallery building;

— Jo Marie Giovaniello who works in watercolors;

— Barbara McGeachen who also works in watercolors;

— Elizabeth Gioja, a photographer of local nature;

— Peter Keitel who works in oils and pastels; and

— Barbara Walter, an oil painter, currently featuring artistic renderings of favorite pets in a variety of mediums.

Gallery hours are Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., or by appointment — call 966-5833.