For local resident Ben McGinty the closure of his 8-year-old Gallery at the End of the World is bittersweet: he believes the gallery has made a significant impact on the local art scene and will miss the place.

On the other hand, for the first time in years, McGinty, an artist himself, will get a chance to focus on his own projects.

"I'm looking forward to creating art and producing my own work," McGinty said.  "It's going to be nice to be on the other side of the business."

Located just uphill of the intersection of North Lake Avenue and Mariposa, McGinty's venue is a stylish venue that mixes indoor and outdoor space and works as well as a local hang-out as it does as a gallery.

McGinty's shows have not just featured art, but also live music and a lively social scene with a strong number of regular customers.

The problem, McGinty, has said is that too many people are interested in the social scene and not enough in purchasing the art.

At the same time, McGinty said he is proud to have been a part of helping so many local artists have a venue to display their work.

"My fondest memories will be that we opened a lot of doors for a lot of people to go forth and not have the fear of showing their art, of having a good place where they can exhibit it," McGinty said.

The gallery is not going to go out without a bang: this weekend's show (called the Artbender) will will run from Thursday to Sunday with various featured artists as well as live music every night of the show.

There will also be an artist's reception on Thursday night, and the official art show opening on Friday night will feature local artist Brian Dario.

On Saturday there will be a potluck barbecue dinner during the North Lake Pole Celebration which includes a petting zoo and sled run with real snow.

Following the show, McGinty plans to begin the long process of shutting down the gallery, cleaning up years of accumulated art and materials and assorted stuff.

He said he plans to have a total liquidation sale sometime in the next few months, likely February.

But for the moment, his focus is on the show later this week.

"I'm starting to get excited," McGinty said.