When Taylor-Raymond Jewelers closed its doors for good last year, it didn’t take long for Shanan Campbell Wells to see an opportunity and seize it.

The owner of Sorrel Sky Gallery, whose business sits directly across the street from the former Main Mall site of Taylor-Raymond, realized that a new market was widening in the retailer’s absence: wedding rings.

Sorrel Sky will debut its new Bridal Collection tonight with a catered event featuring music by the San Juan Youth Symphony as well as photography by McCarson Jones.

Four lines will be featured: “Legacy” by Ben Nighthorse; “Grace,” the Dia Dori collection from Cherie Dori; “Balance” by Toby Pomeroy; and “Amore,” handmade in Durango by Richie Pagan of Aldrich Art Jewelry.

It’s not a new idea. Several local galleries and artisan jewelers have offered wedding rings for years. Diane West, owner of her namesake gallery on Main Avenue, said she has focused almost all of her jewelry-making efforts on wedding bands for more than 10 years.

“It’s a big part of my business,” West said. “People get the most personalized attention, and we work with them to get what they want. They bring in grandma’s diamond or mom’s wedding ring, and we take it apart and it makes it very special. It’s probably the most important piece of jewelry anyone will ever purchase, and it’s very important to meet the artist in person.”

Sorrel Sky’s event is more than just a jewelry show. It’s more a bridal expo than a traditional gallery event. Sorrel Sky marketing coordinator Margaret Hedderman said the gallery will join with other wedding industry types for collaborative marketing efforts.

For example, Jones, a professional photographer who does the bulk of her business as a wedding photographer, recruited local models including Sara Olsen, El Rancho owner Chip Lile, Celeste Green, Elsa Jagniecki, Owen Tallmadge and Cortez District Attorney Will Furse for the Sorrel Sky shoots. The images are used in all of Sorrel Sky’s promotional material, and Hedderman said Sorrel Sky also will partner with caterers and event coordinators in the promotion of the wedding industry in Durango.

“It’s big business here in Durango,” Hedderman said.

ted@durangoherald.com

If you go

Sorrel Sky Gallery, 828 Main Ave., will host a party for the launch of The Bridal Collection from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

For more information, call 247-3555 or visit www.sorrelsky.com.