NORWICH – “Practical” seems conservative. “Prevalent” seems ordinary. When most people think about art, they might not think about the conservative or the ordinary. Isaiah Sutton and Nicole Mazzole didn’t mention them either. However, their new establishment, the Art Upstairs Gallery, is predicated on tapping a prevalent resource in a practical way.

“I knew some artists and I knew they needed an opportunity,” said Sutton, a life-long resident of Norwich and a graduate of Cornell University. “I think Norwich needs some help enhancing the culture of the downtown area.”

The Art Upstairs, located in what used to be “The Loft” music store above the Music Shop Pub on South Broad Street, is set to open in grand fashion with its first show at 7 p.m., Friday July 7.