Soon, the LARC Gallery will find a new home for its artists.

The Local Artists Resource Center at 166 E. Bell St., will move to 425 E. Washington St., Suite 1, effective Monday, Sept. 16.

Owner Shirley Mercer said the new location is better for visibility and brings them to a bigger space from 980 square feet to 3,000 square feet.

“We reached capacity here,” Mercer said. “We’ll more than double the capacity and still not be crowded.”

She’s been considering a new space since May after opening the gallery on Feb. 1. Mercer looked at other locations but this one worked best for them, she said.

In the new space owned, Mercer plans to add a featured artists and specialty show area in the foyer and hallway, a room for classes, a frame shop and an office.

Parking will be in front during the week and available in back on weekends, too.

In the main display room, there is expanded space for artists along with a performance area for music, poetry, book and print signings, lectures and more.

LARC has increased its offerings with 27 artists from opening with 24 artists.

Mercer said turnover has been minimal and she encourages artists to keep with it.

Artists rent by the linear foot and can decide their own budgets.

Mercer said the gallery sells a variety of mediums along with prints, cards, jewelry and more. Her hope is to incorporate even more of a variety with fiber arts, metal sculptures and wood works of art.

She spoke with artists in the gallery and they were on board with the decision to move especially with the new exposure on Washington Street. Some artists plan to help with the move on Sept. 15 and with renovations.

Pat Donlin, a LARC artist, said her carvings, watercolor and pastels paintings and handmade cards have sold well and the move is going to be wonderful.

“It was good to start with a smaller place and now get on the main drag,” Donlin said.

She plans to stick with the gallery because she likes to show her work and she likes Mercer’s attitude.

“She just a go-getter,” Donlin said. “I think this could grow even more.”

With the change in scenery, Mercer said her vision has expanded. “Over there we were so cramped that we couldn’t do anything with the frame shop or classes but we have plenty of space now,” she said.

“We want to dispel myths about downtown Sequim. People I know don’t come downtown because they feel it’s just for tourists or too expensive. But you can get oil paintings for $100. For some of these people it’s a labor of love.”

LARC will participate in the First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 6 and close its Bell Street location on Sunday, Sept. 15. It is one of two art galleries in the city.

At the new location, it will expand its hours from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit larcgallery.com or call 460-9874.