The Rumriver Art Gallery was initiated to support and show local artists’ work. One issue many artists experience is where to show their work as gallery space can be limited, especially to those who are just starting. Our mission with the gallery is to support and show the artwork of local artists. The shows are changed every month, providing many opportunities throughout the year for artists to display their work. The Art Gallery brings the community together and creates a greater appreciation for art. Selected artwork may be available for sale.
Being that we are located in a very old building, there are no elevators or escalators. The only way into the 21 Step Gallery is to climb up 18 stairs. We are currently exploring options and funding to make this gallery more accessible for everyone.
If you’ve ever counted the stairs on your way up to visit the 21 Step Gallery, you may have tilted your head in confusion as your count abruptly stopped at 18 steps.
Legend has it that Rumriver Art Center Director Larry Weinberg was CERTAIN there were 21 steps. RRAC Co-founder Susan Yee suggested it was 18.
Susan was correct.
But being the fun, quirky Art Center RRAC is, Larry’s certainty was honored with the title: 21 Step Gallery.
Larry suggests that it remained the 21 Step Gallery to honor Susan’s birthday, which falls on the ’21st,’ and that 21 is a popular and memorable number.
Upcoming Shows
- Jena Rivard – It’s Made From WHAT???: March 8, 2025 – March 29, 2025
- Art Jacobs – Pastel Images – Landscapes and Still Lifes: April 5, 2025 – May 3, 2025
- Erik Jon Olson: May 10, 2025 – May 31, 2025
- Pamela Lifson: June 7, 2025 – July 5, 2025
- Eric Zuccola: July 12, 2025 – Aug 2, 2025
- Jill Whitney: August 9, 2025 – September 6, 2025
- Deborah Ann Kirkeeide: September 13, 2025 – October 11, 2025
- Bonnie Klatt: October 18, 2025 – November 8, 2025
- Holiday Show and Shop: November 15, 2025 – December 20, 2025
Gallery Hours
Spring Hours (3/10 – 5/31)
Mondays, Tuesdays: 10am – 7pm
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 10am – 3pm
Saturdays 3/22, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26, 5/17, 5/31: 10am – 3pm
Saturdays 4/4 & 5/10: 10am – 4pm
Saturday 5/3 & Sunday 5/4: 10am – 5pm
Closed Sundays
Closed Friday, May 23rd through Monday, May 26th
Current Gallery Show: It’s Made From WHAT???
Rumriver Art Center is excited to present It’s Made From WHAT??? by artist Jena Rivard (Architect of Art). On March 8th from 2 pm – 4 pm the 21 Step Gallery will be hosting an opening reception for Rivard’s show. Her show features unique sculptures, drawings, and leather work that were made using found materials and repurposed, broken objects. Starting at 12:30 pm on Thursday, March 13th she will give a demonstration on her creative process. Individuals are also invited to meet the artist on Saturday, March 8th between 2 pm and 4 pm.
Rivard describes how her life experiences have led to her to creating this show:
I found my love for art through my mother. She was an amazing artist and let my creativity bloom. I continue the tradition with my daughter. It is the best feeling ever to be able to share our passion for art together. She has special needs and uses art as a way of coping, building confidence, and self-expression. I have learned more from her than I can describe.
My favorite medium was pen and ink. In 2018 I was in a car accident and got a traumatic brain injury. It affects my vision among other lasting side effects. This makes drawing and the fine detail I used to do harder. In an effort to still create despite the side effects I started making larger art. I am disabled now and had to find a way to make art without much expense. This brought me to create using found objects, or what some may say is ‘trash.’ I’ll admit to dumpster diving more than a few times looking for items to salvage. It is exciting for me to find a broken object and think “What can this become?”
In 2024 I had another hurdle to overcome when I was diagnosed with a deadly infection, spending months in the hospital, having a mastectomy, and being on IV medicines. This again changed the path in which I create. I had leather scraps given to me and found leather work was something I could do in my hospital bed. I have even found fun in creating clubwear for people with one breast. I hope to help normalize that whether there be two, one, or no breasts – all women are beautiful. Thanks to my amazing medical team support from loved ones, I have defied the odds and just received the news that I beat the infection.
The exhibition will open March 8th and run until March 29th, 2025.
Next Gallery Show: Pastel Images – Landscapes and Still Lifes
The 21 Step Gallery of Rumriver Art Center is presenting Pastel Images – Landscapes and Still Lifes by artist Art Jacobs. Art Jacobs’ show features beautifully rendered still lifes and landscapes completed in soft pastel. On Saturday, April 5th from 2 pm – 4 pm the 21 Step Gallery will be hosting an opening reception for Art Jacobs’ show. On Saturday, April 12th at 1 pm Jacobs will be giving an artist talk accompanied by a demonstration of different pastels and various mark making techniques.
Art Jacobs journey as an artist has been an evolving process, punctuated by explorations across various mediums and styles. From a young age, he found expression through art. His first art exhibit was at the age of 16, a series of charcoal portraits portraying notable African Americans. A trip he took to the Musee d’Orsay in Paris in order to view the works of Edgar Degas, sparked his interest in the pastel medium. He has honed his skills through practice and dedication, ultimately leading to juried membership in the Pastel Society of America (PSA). He continues to develop his skills through attending numerous workshops via the PSA.
Jacobs says that pastels have become a passionate form of expression, offering a unique blend of color and texture that is unparalleled by other mediums. His pastel work is characterized by vibrant hues, delicate transitions, and strong contrasts that invites viewers to experience the artwork on an emotional and intellectual level.
In his pastel work, he employs a variety of techniques to achieve the desired effects. Layering, blending, and stippling are some of the methods he uses to create depth and richness in his compositions. His style is often described as a harmonious balance between representation and a nod to impressionism, where detailed rendering coexists with expressive strokes.
Describing the connection of the work in his show, he details “objects and colors in nature provide us with the inspiration and motivation to bring these elements into our living space for creative display and enrichment.” Each piece reflects his observations, interpretations, and emotions, captured through the lens of pastel artistry. He strives to convey a sense of boldness, vitality, and sensitivity in his work.
The exhibition will open April 5th and run until May 3rd, 2025.
Past Shows
- Surelle Schewe – The Stories She Tells: Saturday, September 10, 2022 – Saturday, October 1, 2022
- Call for Entry – World of Anime: Saturday, October 8, 2022 – Saturday, October 29, 2022
- Paul Hanson – Portraits in Watercolor: Saturday, November 5, 2022 – Saturday, December 17, 2022
- Sanjukta Mitra – Spiritus: Saturday, January 7, 2023 – Saturday, January 28, 2023
- Danniella Mortezaee – Love Always: Saturday, February 4, 2023 – Saturday, February 25, 2023
- Val Coopet – Faces and Places: Saturday, March 4, 2023 – Saturday, March 25, 2023
- Montana Becker – Prone to Wander: Saturday, April 1, 2023 – Saturday, April 22, 2023
- Kenya Latourneau – Kenya Letourneau’s Kreations!: Saturday, June 3, 2023 – Saturday, July 29, 2023
- Juanita Tatum – Exploring Emotions Through Faces: Saturday, August 5, 2023 – Saturday, September 30, 2023
- Britt Maki – Don’t Be Hasty: Saturday, October 7, 2023 – Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Holiday Show and Shop: Saturday, November 18, 2023 – Saturday, December 30, 2023
- Margarita Stantchevski – Beauty and More: Saturday, February 10, 2024 – Saturday, March 9, 2024
- Joel Springer – Finding My Voice: Saturday, March 16, 2024 – Saturday, April 13, 2024
- Lynelle Kocher – Bits and Places: Saturday, April 20, 2024 – Saturday, May 11, 2024
- MaryLeah Marshall – Themes from Nature: A Collection: Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Saturday, June 8, 2024
- Rachel Coyne – Rock and Rollerskate: Saturday, June 15, 2024 – Wednesday, July 3, 2024
- Jerry Jorgenrud – Spiritus: Saturday, July 13, 2024 – Saturday, August 3, 2024
- Sandy Adler – Celebrate Creation: August 10, 2024 – September 7, 2024
- Carol Collins – Wonderful World of Fur and Feathers: September 14, 2024 – October 5, 2024
- Emma Ahart – Visceral: October 12, 2024 – November 9, 2024
- Holiday Show and Shop: November 16, 2024 – December 21, 2024
- Laura Hanson – Forced Witness: January 4, 2025 – February 1, 2025
- Angie Renee – Inked, Ripped, Glued: The Processing of Creating Light Within the Dark: February 15, 2025 – March 1, 2025