BOUNTIFUL -- Though it's a joke when Starbucks are involved, three art galleries ending up within blocks of each other can create an entirely different world. Along Bountiful's Main Street, no more than 10 city blocks stands between the Bountiful/Davis Arts Center (BDAC), Lamplight Gallery, and Apple Frame Gallery. Despite their proximity, the three galleries are unique enough to exist comfortably even in such relatively close quarters. "Different kinds and styles of art appeal to different kinds of people," said Mary Fox, gallery manager at Apple Frame. "Having so many galleries close together helps people to see what they like rather than what someone else thinks they should like."

Though the tastes of the three galleries have been known to overlap, they each tend to have a very different emphasis. BDAC, the largest of the three galleries, is a state-supported center that shows a wide range of art styles, from realism to modernism, and supports artists as young as 16.

Lamplight, a co-op, allows in only a fixed number of mostly local artists, and though the work usually has a strong watercolor emphasis the gallery has also made a home for several abstract works.

Apple Frame Gallery, the only purely commercial gallery of the three, focuses mostly on oils and landscapes and displays only the work of artists allowed in by the owner. Apple Frame also offers framing services to customers, whether of in-gallery art or pieces brought in.

"We're not really competing with each other because we're all so different," said Colleen Parker, a member of Lamplight Gallery. "It's been my experience from going to different art places like Santa Fe that if you get a lot of different galleries together people will just go from one to another."

Though the variety between the galleries normally means that they operate in their own little worlds, the three galleries have been known to collaborate.

Both BDAC and Lamplight try to hold opening receptions for exhibits on the same night, with the next for both being this Friday at 7 p.m. (for the Durrant/ MacGlaughlin show at Lamplight and the statewide art show at BDAC).

Recently, there have also been talks between the galleries to create a city-wide gallery stroll of opening receptions, which would include not only Apple Frame but also Borderline Gallery on 500 South and Repartee Gallery on 500 West.

"We consider them sister galleries," said BDAC director Emma Dugal. BDAC and Lamplight already cross-promote their opening receptions, a practice that both galleries would be happy to extend. "It gives people more opportunities to look at and enjoy art."

In fact, many agree that there would be room for even more art galleries on their stretch of road.

"When galleries are close together, they support each other," said Parker. "If one moved in right next door, I'd be delighted."

jwardell@davisclipper.com