ESCONDIDO -- Ten years ago, Grand Avenue was an unfinished canvas in the art world. Today, local artists and gallery owners are sculpting a masterpiece.

According to some of the owners of the 25 art galleries in downtown Escondido, their customers include both local art lovers and buyers from around the country. Those in the business of selling art have begun to take notice.

Seven new galleries and art studios have opened in the downtown district this year alone, according to the Downtown Business Association of Escondido. They are Cheryl Tall Studios, Kiika, Shiva Artistic Collections, Distinction, Bead Makers of North County, Grand Annex Gallery and Woodcrafter's Design Gallery.

Melissa Ralston, who co-owns Shiva Artistic Collections with her husband, Jeff, said she had been keeping an eye on downtown Escondido for a decade, waiting for the right time to open a gallery there.

The gallery, located at 115 W. Grand Avenue, opened Aug. 1 and features local artists as well as imported gift items.

"My husband is a native of Escondido and we have just seen downtown evolve," Ralston said. "I am from the Midwest so I like the old downtown feeling rather than strip malls. There is so much activity down here and the caliber of businesses is great. It feels quaint and charming to shop down here."

Tanya Pantich moved into her studio, Kiika, behind Shiva Artistic Collections in September. Pantich, who designs and handcrafts women's clothing, works in the studio but also keeps it open for customers to see her clothing and watch her in action.

"I live in San Marcos and I wanted my own studio where I could work but also have access to the public," Pantich said. "It's getting to the point where everyone is talking (about downtown Escondido) and it's exciting."

While several gallery owners said the proximity of the decade-old California Center for the Arts, Escondido made the downtown a natural location for them, Ralston and Pantich added that another driving factor in the blossoming art scene was Second Saturday Art Walk.

The second Saturday of each month, gallery owners hold extended hours for open houses that often include artists at work and refreshments. Coordinated by the gallery owners, the Escondido Arts Partnership and the downtown association, the event sometimes also includes activities for children.

Debra Rosen, who took over as executive director of the downtown association Nov. 1, said she has been amazed by what she sees as a vibrant art scene in Escondido.

"Our downtown is so fortunate to have so many different art venues, from galleries to museums and even some art studios where you can see the artists at work," Rosen said. "There are even some specialty retail stores that focus on the arts."

But while seven gallery owners are new to Grand Avenue, some have been around for years. Scott Kuhnly has been working and exhibiting in the old Arcade building at 218 E. Grand Avenue for 35 years and said he has seen many changes in that time.

"Escondido in 1970 was a neat, small town community without much art activity," said Kuhnly, whose work includes oil and water-color paintings. "When I would load up my van for an art show, people thought I was moving out."

Kuhnly said his building primarily housed small offices when he moved in and each time someone moved out he encouraged other local artists to set up shop. Kuhnly said it's not unusual for customers to travel from San Diego and Riverside to visit the shops.

"I think we hit a plateau for a while but we have moved on and up," Kuhnly said. "During Second Saturday I will paint in my window and people stop by in the evening to watch. It's a neat little downtown and I know a lot of people. It's like an extended family."

Robert Wright has owned his gallery at 140 E. Grand Avenue for 18 years and agreed with Kuhnly that the small town atmosphere of downtown has helped foster local artists and galleries. The Robert Wright Gallery includes plein-air, seascape and Native American artists.

"We have grown with the growth of the surrounding areas," Wright said. "I am proud to be a part of it. It has a personal feeling. In some places (around North County) you can see employees watching the time clock but it's different here. Everyone has a personal stake in it."

And it seems that Escondido's arts reputation has extended beyond the county. The Lillian Berkley Collection, located at 128 E. Grand Avenue, was named one of the 60 top galleries in the United States by Art and Antiques Magazine in conjunction with the Phoenix Art Museum. Two of their artists, including local sculptor Cheryl Tall who has a studio downtown, will be part of the Emerging Artists '05 exhibit in Scottsdale, Ariz., next March.

Frank Laughton, executive director of the Escondido Arts Partnership, said he expects things to only get better. The Arts Partnership, which includes the Escondido Municipal Gallery, formed in 1998 as a cooperative for local artists to exhibit their work. It now includes 350 members.

"If you are looking to show your art in North County," Laughton said, "there is not any other place like Grand Avenue."