HONESDALE, PA — For eight years now, the Missing Pieces gallery has been an integral part of Main Street and of Honesdale’s art scene.

Even the Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA) Main Street Gallery is on the floor above it.

But now owner Sue Foster is moving on. Missing Pieces will be open until the end of December, but the current—and final—show, titled “Let’s Get Real,” closes on Saturday, October 22.

It’s a collection of watercolors and pastels: landscapes, still lifes, animals, flowers and more. The works are realistic and beautiful, reminding us how much wonder there is in the world around us.

The artists are all from Pittsburgh, “three of my best friends,” Foster said. “They’re all very talented, are award-winning artists, passionate about art and are very nice people too.”

“When I moved here from Pittsburgh,” she said, “I was here by myself and didn’t know anybody.”

There were few galleries in the area. But starting a gallery here was a natural move; Foster had been around galleries and art for much of her life. And Pittsburgh is well known as a center for the arts in Pennsylvania.

Sue Foster stands in front of Missing Pieces.

She wanted Missing Pieces to not be exclusive, she said. Art could be for the people.

But first, there was the setting-up process.

“I had to do renovations, and brought artwork from Pittsburgh,” she said. “Eventually, I started meeting more artists here.”

It was all a matter of bringing art into the community. “To show the community what talent we have here.”

That talent includes Foster’s art too. She works in watercolor, and shows her own paintings too.

Part of a gallery’s function, unlike that of a museum, is to sell the art shown. Foster didn’t charge much for commission, she said. That lets the artists keep more of the sale price. “It’s hard to make a living doing art.”

Buying a piece of art might be a new experience for some people here. “People don’t realize that you’re getting a one-of-a-kind piece that’s framed… it’s all created by somebody.”

The current show at Missing Pieces, "Let's Get Real," looks at the beauty in reality.

Representational art, now on display at Missing Pieces.

Three of Foster's closest friends have contributed their work to her final show at Missing Pieces.

Representational art can include portray anything from animals to fruit to a sunset.

For years, Missing Pieces has served as an introduction to art.

Flowers in art, now on display at Missing Pieces.

Previous Next

Art is unique, touched by the maker and infused with the spirit and the dream that drove the work.

Buying art “supports someone’s passion,” Foster said.

“Sue Foster, and her beautiful paintings, and her Missing Pieces gallery have been an asset to the arts community in Honesdale these many years,” said Janet Gaglione, executive director at the WCAA in an email. “The Wayne County Arts Alliance has enjoyed a close collaboration with Sue, as we have rented her upstairs for the past three years for our WCAA Main Street Gallery. We wish Sue only the best in her future endeavors and hope she continues to paint and create.”

Leaving is bittersweet, Foster admitted. “I’d like to see continue to be a gallery.”

But, she said, “things come to an end. I’m going to miss it in a lot of ways.”

Missing Pieces is located at 959 Main St. The current show, “Let’s Get Real,” will close on October 22.

For more information, call the gallery at 724/433-1438, or find it on Facebook at Missing Pieces.