What do you do in a depressed economy? If you’re Richard Martin and James Oliver, you open a new art gallery.

Their gallery, Art Saves the Day, opens with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at 200 s.  Main St. in Sebastopol.

“Because of what’s happening in the world, everything is up in the air. To me, the idea of bringing art to people is one of the answers. It brings a positive message,” Martin explained.

“Art can help to rediscover and reclaim ourselves. Art is one of the many positive ways that can help us put our worlds back together again,” he added.

The gallery’s opening show is “Sanctuaries: works of power, abstraction and intimacy,” featuring work by Martin, Julien Camp, Allen Spencer and Deb Imler, Ralph Carlson, Maria Villano and ErinO. Media include paintings, photography, assemblage and more.

The show runs through Jan. 10. For more information, call 824-0882, or go to  www.artsavestheday.com.