As far as the upcoming opening of the new co-op gallery in downtown St. Joseph is concerned, seven must be a lucky number.

The gallery, which will be located at 118 N. Seventh St., will be named Gallery 7. It’s temporary name was Friends of the Arts Gallery, but gallery board member Wanda Taylor had an idea after hearing about an art gallery in Wichita, Kan., called Gallery 12.

Since the gallery was in the process of getting its seventh board member and is located on Seventh Street, it seemed like a good fit.

“This way, it kind of encompasses everything,” Ms. Taylor said.

The gallery, according to Ms. Taylor, is about 85 percent ready, with inspections completed and a merchant’s license, tax ID and lease secured on the property.

Gallery 7 soon will accept artwork submissions from artists seeking membership. Those who wish to submit work to the jury process should take their art to the gallery from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The gallery is seeking sculpture, pottery, jewelry and other three-dimensional art along with photography, paintings and drawings. Notification of acceptance will be May 19. Gallery 7 will open on June 20.

Gallery board member Ila Youngblood is just glad that, with an official name, Gallery 7 is one step closer to being ready for the public.

“We’re really excited because we have everything we need in line and we are ready to go,” Ms. Youngblood said.

Blake Hannon can be reached

at blakehannon@npgco.com.