Spring is bound to arrive someday.

But even if warmer temperatures and sunny skies don’t prevail by early April, look for signs of spring inside Museo, Langley’s longtime art gallery on First Street.

April 7, a garden show party is planned in celebration of beginnings on many fronts by the gallery’s new owners, Nancy Whittaker and Michael Dickter of Kirkland.

“This has been a dream of ours to open a gallery and move out away from the hustle and bustle of the city,” Whittaker said.

The couple recently bought the gallery from Sandra Jarvis, who decided to bow out after 14 years at the helm of Museo.

The April 7 reception will launch April’s Garden Show theme, which has been an annual tradition at Museo.

But instead of spotlighting a few artists as has been done in the past, Museo’s new owners went large.

“It’s a big show,” Whittaker said. “They’ll be 30 different artists and every one has a different interpretation of what a garden is. It’s also a celebration of spring along with a celebration of our new path.”

The couple brings different expertise and experience to the challenge of running an art gallery for the first time.

Dickter is a painter and has been involved in the regional art community for years. Whittaker managed Bellevue Art Musuem’s store the past seven years.

“It’s a confluence of everything we enjoy doing,” Dickter said.

Over the years, they’ve regularly attended Museo’s shows.

“It’s known for really good quality art,” said Dickter. “It’s definitely known on the Seattle art scene.”

Locally, they know Museo is viewed as a “cultural component of the community,” a relationship they hope to cultivate.

The Kirkland couple plan to move across the water soon. But first they juggled a seamless transition so Museo never missed a beat in its ever-changing monthly show.

Their March showing features photographer Skip Smith and ceramic, wood and graphite artist Anne Hirondelle with works on display until April 1.

Smith also gave a presentation about photography and more artist talks may be in the future.

They plan to continue showcasing Whidbey and regional artists.

“Sandra has done an amazing job with the space and she’s been very supportive of local artists,” Whittaker said. “Of course, we’ll bring our own touch but we plan to keep going with what is working so well.”

When Jarvis put Museo on the market in October, more people than she expected expressed interest in buying it.

“Eight different people came forward,” she said.

Jarvis has been helping Museo’s new proprietors learn the ins and outs of art shows and sales.

“She’s been holding our hand the whole time,” Whittaker laughed.

At the hub of Museo for 14 years, Jarvis was known for bringing in artistic funk and fun.

Every January, she threw an off-beat show and party to brighten the dark days of winter. One year was a steampunk theme, another year a Shakespearean twist with actors reading sonnets and a fire eater performing out front.

For the 50th anniversary of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” novel, three motorcycles were decked out inside the gallery.

To describe Jarvis as featuring “many” artists over the years is shortchanging her impressive stewardship.

Museo has become a destination gallery mainly because of her vision, pulling in returning visitors year after year for the revolving art shows.

“Let’s see, an opening a month for 14 years, that’s quite a few,” she laughed.

To be exact, it’s 168 openings, and shows, to plan and pull off.

“I think it was a pretty good run and I decided to leave while I’m still feeling good and healthy,” she said.

Jarvis expressed confidence she’s leaving Museo and its 1,500-square foot bright white showroom in good hands.

“They’re extraordinarily qualified to run the gallery,” she said of Whittaker and Dickter. “I couldn’t be more pleased. They have the experience, passion and personalities for it.

“I think they’ll take it to the next level.”

As for Jarvis, she plans to remain in Langley, “with my next adventure still to be determined.”

— Museo Garden Show artists’ reception is 5 -7 p.m. Saturday, April 7, which is also Langley’s monthly First Saturday art walk. The exhibit will run through April 29. For more information: www.museo.com

New Museo gallery owner Nancy Whittaker (left) goes over files with former owner Sandra Jarvis.

On display at Museo is one of Michael Dickter’s oil and pencil paintings on panel, “The Thought of Flying.”

“I think it was a pretty good run,” said Sandra Jarvis, reflecting on 14 years owning Museo gallery. “I decided to leave while I’m still feeling good and healthy.” She plans to remain in Langley “with my next adventure still to be determined.”