Marie Sofi isn't likely to mind if visitors find the latest exhibit at Brea Gallery a bit old-fashioned. That's exactly the way the gallery director planned it.
Sofi said she created "Memories" to bring a sense of nostalgia to older patrons and to give younger visitors a sense of what life was like in times gone by. The exhibition of antique furniture, toys and household items runs through Aug. 22 at the gallery, which is part of the Brea Civic Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Drive.
Sofi began planning "Memories" when a survey of gallery visitors turned up a "big request for antiques and collectibles." At first, she hoped to concentrate on the years 1800-1850. But items from that time proved scarce and expensive to transport, so Sofi broadened her search to include the period up to the 1930s.
Sofi first concentrated on historical societies and antique dealers. But soon she began receiving calls from private parties willing to lend antiques to the gallery. Most of the items in the exhibit came from personal collections. "It's always nice when you work on an exhibit and get this much community participation," Sofi said.
