Paul McGill has learned not to hang his coat on the wall when he goes to get his hair trimmed at Lincoln Barber Shop. If he does, he knows he'll miss some of the new art hanging there.

"I think it's great," said McGill, 56, of Bellevue. "It livens the place up. From time to time the artists stop in, and it's a great experience."

McGill enjoys viewing new art while getting his hair cut at the unconventional art gallery Lincoln Barbershop has turned into. For the past several months, owner Aaron Stubna has offered "gallery" space to various local artists.

Currently, Stubna has the works of six artists on display. The pieces range from acrylic abstract paintings to photography.

"(The artists) really seem to appreciate the opportunity," said Stubna, 36, of Kennedy. "It's basically to promote the artists, but also to promote Bellevue."

McGill, who's late father-in-law may be featured in an upcoming show at the shop, thinks the idea of rotating artists every 30 to 40 days will continue to keep drawing people into the shop.

"You're pulling people into the borough from the outside, but also getting the good people who live in the borough out on the streets," McGill said. "You can't go wrong with that."

The move has been profitable, not only for the artists but for Stubna and the community. During an art crawl on March 16, where several businesses displayed artwork for one day, many pieces were sold.

Stubna said he saw a change in clientele as well.

"We had a good crowd of people come in," Stubna said. "A lot of faces I knew, a lot I didn't know. That to me says it was a success."

Tirrell Grimsley has had quite a bit of success since Sunday's event.

Grimsley, 28, of Bloomfield, has sold several of his sketches of influential musicians. While his colored pencil portrait of Ray Charles still hangs on Stubna's wall, it won't for long. Just the other day, Stubna told Grimsley he has plans to purchase it himself.

"What I really like about this situation is it has brought all of these people and artists together," Grimsley said. "Most of my work is down there, and I hope people like it."

Acryllic painter Karen White is impressed with the concept of art in a barber shop.

"I think that would draw people in even more," said White, 29, of Coraopolis. "It's not very intimidating. You can go into a barber shop and look at art, but if you go into a studio, you might think the prices are really high.

"At a barber shop, you go in, you get your hair done check out the art. It's pretty laid back."