The moon has fascinated humans since the dawn of history. The satellite that graces our night sky has been the subject of myths, nursery rhymes and scientific fascination. The ancient Romans revered Diana, goddess of the moon. Mythology and artwork capture her as a strong and beautiful woman, a protector and a nurturer.

Now Diana's influence is being felt in Bellefonte's Historic District where Drawing Down the Moon Gallery opened during the holiday season.

"The reason we call it that is because the moon is a female symbol," said Joelynn Snyder Ott, founding director of the gallery at 140 W. High St. "We are going to use this space for promoting women artists."

Each artist displays and sells her own work at the gallery. Snyder Ott's school, Central Pennsylvania Drawing Studio, is located at the same address. It is situated in a historic building with vaulted ceilings and tall windows.

"Her space is where she teaches classes," said Leeshaun Musick, a featured artist. "It's almost as if you can see the artists in action."

The artistic mediums vary from sculpture to pastels to photography, and the women's backgrounds are as diverse as their work. Some pursue art as a profession, while others are amateurs. They are all different ages and have varying artistic background. One thing they do have in common is that their work captures life experiences.

"She does these wonderful images," said Snyder Ott about one artist's photography. "They come from her experience as a wife, a mother and a sensuous woman."

Snyder Ott, a former Penn State art instructor, has long been interested in women's role in the artistic world. Women and Creativity is her 1978 book on the subject. According to Snyder Ott, standard textbooks during the 1970s rarely gave credit to women artists, other than a token mention of Mary Cassatt.

Musick shares in Snyder Ott's opinion. "Women in the olden days never have gotten the notoriety they should have," she said.

Musick learned her unique style with pastels from a guest instructor at Central Pennsylvania Drawing Studio.

"I was drawn to the instructor and his style. There is extreme color blending, it is very soft, very ethereal," she said. "There is a lot of depth. You start to see things emerge from the blending in the color."

One of Musick's first attempts at this style, which depicts an ocean scene, is on display at Drawing Down the Moon Gallery.

"I draw some favorite places that are close to my heart," Musick said. "A lot of times, to get inspired color-wise, I look through art books. I might see a Monet and think it might be neat to run a streak of fuscia through it."

Lynn Dankanich, a former veterinarian, displays her pen and ink work at Drawing Down the Moon Gallery. "I call it meditative drawing," she said. "I think that some of the drawings come from my scientific background."

Her intricate patterns show a repetition often found in cells or in muscle tissue.

"I never know what it will look like when it is done. I just like the spontaneity," said Dankanich. "It goes through a period where I think that it isn't going to work, but I usually like it when I am done."

For three years, Dankanich has considered art to be her main pursuit. Drawing Down the Moon Gallery is the place where she and other women artists exert their creative energy.

"It is nice to be with other women who are interested in artwork. We seem to have this energy and need to be with other women," she said. "It is important for all people to realize how important creativity is to an individual."