Art fanatics soon will have a new place to go to appreciate fine work.
Google Open Gallery launched on Tuesday, promising artists, museums, archives, and galleries the ability to create online exhibits. The service is available by invitation only at the moment, but it will be home to all kinds of artwork, Google says.
Google Open Gallery integrates into an organization's Web site, allowing users to view different pieces within the exhibit. The gallery also includes a feature for site owners to add more information about the exhibit, providing details similar to those which would be displayed in an actual showroom. Museums that don't have a Web site can create one for free through the Open Gallery tool.
Some early Open Gallery exhibitors already have integrated the service on their Web sites. Google is allowing those in the art field to request an invitation, though it hasn't said how many it will accept.