The gallery at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts was bustling, everyone energized by its grand opening.

Recently, a delivery truck made a stop at the High Street building - long ago Frank's men's and boys' clothing store - dropping off paintings, pieces of sculpture, wearable art, and fine arts and crafts. Some are on display in the first gallery showing, which opened Saturday. Others are being offered for sale in the center's shop.

This is the fulfillment of an enthusiastic plan by the region's artists, known as the Glasstown Center Arts District, with guidance and support from the Millville Development Corporation.

It's the central but small part of what Millville officials, residents and business owners hope will be the revitalization of a 16-block area and nine acres along the Maurice River.

The collaboration between business and the arts is one of the topics being discussed at the Third Annual Business/ Arts Summit on April 27 at the South Jersey Performing Arts Center on the Camden Waterfront.

The former clothing store, vacant for a decade, was actually three storefronts and the first plan was to find three retailers.

``Along the way, during the talks and proposals, there was a suggestion for an arts district,'' said Don Ayers, executive director of the Millville Development Corp.

A survey of 2,000 mid-Atlantic artists fueled zeal for the concept.

The city passed a $2.3 million bond ordinance covering public improvements to the arts district, riverfront work, acquisition of some land, and the rehabilitation of the building, which came in at $550,000, Ayres said.

Millville Development Corp., which had title to the building, turned it back to the city until renovations and upgrades were completed. It now has signed a 20-year lease on the building.

The arts center ``morphed into a co-op gallery with studio space. We turned a decrepit building into a showplace with lots of working space and light, lots of light,'' said Leslie M. Ficcaglia, chairman of the board of Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts.

The first gallery showing showcases regional artists. Later shows will feature work by the New York Society of Illustrators and the Philadelphia Watercolor Society.

By summer, the 3,300-square-foot building will be buzzing with classes and lectures, Ficcaglia said, including the summer Art Creates Excellence Program for school-age children, sponsored by Millville.

Items displayed in the gallery must be approved by the board. Artists selected for the opening responded to an an advertisement in Art Matters, a publication for artists.

``People are hungry for places to show their work,'' said Ficcaglia. ``They've sent us portfolios, and brochures and lots of e-mail, and this is wonderful stuff,'' she said as she unwrapped large metal discs, suitable for birdbaths or wall hangings, crafted by Mitch Kamen of Waltham, Mass.

High Street merchants are enthusiastic about the new project.

Vicki Vafiades of Atco, hopes more street traffic will mean better receipts for Kountry Kloset, a shop that sells country crafts, candles, collectible bears and dolls. ``Our target is local people. We had a very successful spring sale,'' she said.

Across High Street from the gallery, Pamela and Charles Uddin are working to complete renovations on a three-story, 8,000-square-foot building. Street-level space will hold antiques and their pottery and stained glass items.

``I'm pleased with the concept, and it all worked out for me, personally,'' said Ernest Roemer, whose family owned the building and sold upholstered furniture there from 1930 until December.

``It was time for me to retire and the Uddins were were interested. The Gallery, the district, is an attraction for the city and will support the businesses here,'' he said.

Cumberland County College plans to open Clay College, with classes in pottery and ceramics, in a still-vacant storefront.

Ayres said four galleries will be opening shortly and 20 downtown buildings have been sold for what he called `` compatible uses. That's the most real estate sales in downtown in my lifetime.''

For more information on the center, call (856) 327-4500.