Carson City gallery in hunt for indie prizes

Carson City’s Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, a downtown commercial venture, is in the running for a Small Business of the Year award.

For the second straight year, Artsy Fartsy at 220 W. Telegraph St., is a quarterfinalist in the competition run by Independent We Stand, a national small firm movement group.

Nearly 22,000 votes were cast during the nomination phase of the competition, with 315 nominees involved, and the Carson City outlet made it to the quarterfinal stage for balloting. The gallery, which represents more than 65 Northern Nevada artists, is owned and operated by Jeffery Pace.

Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand, said the award competition is a way of recognizing small businesses for efforts in their communities. Voting is under way through Dec. 13 with the eventual winner set to receive prizes valued at more than $10,000, according to organizers. Prospective voters may check matters out at www.independentwestand.org/indies/profile.php?id=35.