The Andrew Charles Gallery opened its doors for business at Reynolds Village in North Asheville in late February, 2014, showcasing the paintings of local artist Joel Cole.

It will continue featuring the contemporary work of local and regional painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and mixed-media artists in individual exhibitions and invitational group-shows based on themes.

The first of those, on display through April 22, is Echoes of Egypt, with Egyptian antiquities, archival prints, museum reproductions and contemporary art with an Egyptian inspiration. Scheduled subsequent themes will be Eastern Breezes (Asian influences) and False Faces (masks).

But what sets ACG apart from other fine art galleries in the area is the ongoing exhibition for sale of Tribal Art (sometimes called Ethnographic Art) and New World Antiquities (or Pre-Columbian art). The tribal art from Africa, New Guinea, the Philippines, etc., is comprised of wooden masks and figurative sculpture as well as ceramic sculpture and vessels. The Pre-Columbian pieces are ceramics from Colima, West Mexico; the Vicus culture of Peru, Colombia,

Panama, Costa Rica and the Maya civilization. Prices range from $100 for a Costa Rican ceramic whistle in the form of a fish to $8,500 for a published late 19th Century ceramic sculpture of a seated Akan queen (Ghana, Africa). The ACG welcomes consignments of ethnographic and Pre-Columbian art from private collectors.

The owners of ACG, Dennis Forbes and Carl Kojis, are both residents of rural Weaverville and artists themselves, whose works are also available at the Gallery. Forbes is the founder and editorial director of the 4-color glossy quarterly Kmt, A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt, now in its 25th year of publication (www.kmtjournal.com).

The Andrew Charles Gallery is located in Suite 105, Building 60 at Reynolds Village (The Lofts). Gallery hours 10-5, Tue-Sat., or by appointment. Call (828) 989-0111.