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 21 stairs.
Upcoming Shows
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
Richard Mittelstadt: Saturday, April 29, 2023 – Saturday, May 27, 2023
Gallery Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:30am-3:00pm
Select Saturdays: time varies
Someone may be available beyond those hours and if there is a class scheduled on our CALENDAR there will likely be someone at the Art Center. Please call 763-323-8830 or e-mail sales@rumriverart.com first to make arrangements if you would like to view the gallery outside of our office hours.
Current Gallery Show: Faces and Places
Rumriver Art Center will present a new gallery show titled: Faces and Places. The show’s opening will take place in the 21 Step Gallery (2665 4th Ave, Suite 201) on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 2pm-4pm. The gallery show will feature the watercolor paintings of Val Coopet. There will also be an Artist Talk on Saturday, March 11th from 11-12:30 where attendees can meet Val and learn about her as an artist and the creative process she uses in creating her watercolor paintings.
Val Coopet always wanted to be an artist for as long as she could remember. She even tried to major in art but ended up with an art history and elementary education degree. She loved being an elementary teacher and doesn’t regret that decision. Her love of art and art history inspired her to visit museums and galleries as she traveled. She says “Nothing connects a person to the experiences of another person, culture, or period in history like art, whether it is painting, sculpture, architecture or prose. This connection has probably been my number one reason for becoming involved in the arts.”
Val says when she discovered watercolor she fell in love. “Watercolor presents unique challenges and surprises. Creating a painting from lights to darks requires thoughtful planning. Mixing colors and finding the correct intensity is creative and exciting. I don’t always end up with exactly what I envisioned. Sometimes, the paint works its own magic and amazes me and teaches me new things. Watercolor is the most dynamic medium I have worked with.”
“I have chosen Faces and Places as the title of my exhibit because I love the intensely personal feeling I have when I paint places that mean a great deal to me. When I paint faces of people and animals, I develop a closeness and feeling of intimacy with them. The pieces in this show all have that special, intimate connection to me.”
Stop by and look at Val Coopet’s watercolor paintings. Faces and Places will remain in the 21 Step Gallery through March 25, 2023.
Next Gallery Show: Prone to Wander
Rumriver Art Center will present a new gallery show titled: Prone to Wander. The show’s opening will take place in the 21 Step Gallery (2665 4th Ave, Suite 201) on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 2pm-4pm. The gallery show will feature the artwork of Montana Becker. Montana will also be hosting a Meet the Artist on Tuesday, April 4th from 11:30-1:30 and an Artist Talk on Saturday, April 8 from 12:15-1:30 where attendees can meet Montana and will learn about her as an artist and the creative process she uses in creating her artwork.
Montana Becker is a Minnesota native who grew up on a cattle farm located in Princeton. Montana chose to attend the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) where she received her BA in Studio Art and Political Science in May of 2020. While studying at UMM, Becker developed an interest in landscape, and she began to test the boundaries of objectivity and abstraction. She works primarily in oil paint, but also works in watercolor and some drawing media. Today Montana’s work focuses primarily on unpacking landscape as an abstract concept. While some of her work remains objective, much of her current body of work is abstract or non-objective.
The exhibition Prone to Wander confronts the viewer with a series of abstract paintings which examine the spiritual nature of the human soul. Montana utilizes the media of oil paint to express her own spiritual struggles while also making observations about the relationship between God and man. Montana addresses issues of personal/spiritual identity by examining the sources which degrade, alter, or strengthen her own self-worth. She presents a personal narrative which compels the viewer to evaluate and confront their own identity. Her mission in making artwork is to communicate her own journey while also creating work that is relatable for her viewer. Montana says,” The way in which we experience the world chains us together and enables us to share with one another. This is, I believe, the power and the purpose behind my work.”
Prone to Wander will remain in the 21 Step Gallery through April 30, 2023.
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
Want to show your artwork in our gallery? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION