Sometime in the past, Fulton experienced a phase where windows were covered over and natural light eliminated from some commercial buildings.
No one is quite certain what they'll find when they peek under deteriorating wood panels on the front of the Art House downtown, but it's hoped there are long-forgotten windows.
"The zone between the two rows of windows will determine the final design," said Danielle Warren, Art House board member.
The work should be done in about a month, she added.
"The bricks on the second story of the facade are loose in some spots, and the paint is chipping off," Warren said. "So we're tuck pointing and painting."
The biggest problem, she added, is lower down.
"The first floor has rotting wood conditions, and in some places, water is leaking into the interior of the building. It seems to be missing a critical piece of flashing," she said.
Warren said members are picking out a new color for the building that will reflect the historical aspect of downtown Fulton while adding a
modern twist.
Members of the nonprofit Art House gallery purchased the building at 531 Court St. in January 2015. Downstairs is the gallery and Warren's Court Street Custom Framing. Warren studied interior design at the University of Missouri, worked for 12 years as a professional designer in San Francisco and opened the frame shop in 2014. She and her husband, Brian, own Well Read Books, a shop across the street from the Art House. Upstairs is Photography by Studio Seven, owned by Lydia Schuster.
The Art House is a supporter of local and regional artists, and members host events and educational classes. On display are paintings, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, drawings, fiber art and more. It hosts two major events: Callaway Plein Air, on the last weekend of May, and Autumn on the Bricks, coming up the second weekend in October.
Most of the activities for Autumn on the Bricks, also hosted by Fulton's Brick District organization, will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 8. Besides art, there will be artisanal food, local wines, craft beers, live music and children's activities.
Court Street will be closed to traffic between Fourth and Sixth streets. On the evening of Oct. 7, the Brick District Playhouse will have live music and food on the street outside.
According to Tom Riley, the fall festival will highlight the folk art of Jesse Howard, a Callaway County artist. Kansas City songwriter Mark Stevenson will perform songs containing lyrics inspired by Howard's work, which included neatly lettered signs.
"We'll have a show with 30 or 40 pieces," Riley said.
The gallery is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday-Monday. For more information, including how to participate as an artist, call 573-592-7733 or go to arthousefultonmo.org.