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
- Miguel Joven – Photography of Miguel Joven: February 7th – March 7th
- William Bukowski – Painting Minnesota: March 21st – April 18th
- Kelly Meyer: April 25th – May 30th
- Steph Kunze: June 6th – July 11th
- Lauren Russell: July 25th – August 22nd
- Bernadette Chlebeck: August 29th – September 26th
- Tevka Lackmann: October 3rd – November 7th
Gallery Hours
Winter/Spring Hours (2/2 – 5/15)
Mondays: 10am – 3pm
Tuesdays: 10am – 7pm
Wednesdays: 10am – 3pm
Thursdays: 10am – 7pm
Fridays: 10am – 3pm
Saturdays 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/30: 10am – 3pm
Sundays: Closed
Closed Memorial Day Monday, May 25th
Current Gallery Show: Photography of Miguel Joven
The 21 Step Gallery of Rumriver Art Center is excited to announce a new art exhibition; Photography of Miguel Joven by artist Miguel Joven. On Saturday, February 7th, from 2 pm – 4pm the 21 Step Gallery will be hosting an opening reception for Joven’s show. After the reception, Joven will be giving an artist talk from 4 pm – 5 pm. Both events are free and open to the public.
Miguel Joven has the following to say when discussing his exhibition:
“I don’t know the language or word for it. Is it paradox? Maybe it’s contradiction. I put a lot of effort into my photos, and I’ve spent years of experimentation trying to get closer to making images that resonate with me. I think, though, I’m trying to create images that seem as if little effort or thought went into them. Technically or traditionally speaking, photos with imperfections. Lo-fi. Perhaps I’m chasing nostalgia.
I’ve always been drawn to creative things, and I’ve learned that I need creativity in my life. Of all the creative things I’ve pursued, photography ticks the most boxes for me: it allows for collaboration, it’s of service to others more so than the other things I’ve tried, and it scratches my creative itch.”
The exhibition runs from February 7th through March 7th, 2026.
Next Gallery Show: Painting Minnesota
The 21 Step Gallery of Rumriver Art Center is excited to announce the opening of a new art exhibition; Painting Minnesota by artist William Bukowski. On Saturday, March 21st, from 2 pm – 4pm, the 21 Step Gallery will be hosting an opening reception for Bukowski’s show. After the opening reception, Bukowski will be giving an artist talk beginning at 4:15 pm.
Bukowski has been influenced by the European tradition of realist painting. He loves to work “en plein air” painting landscapes on location. His themes include the gardens at Sibley Park, the Red Jacket Trail, Seven Mile County Park and a family cottage. He paints ordinary places singled out for their unique beauty. For inspiration and enrichment, Bukowski travels to Europe with particular emphasis to Italy. The “Old Masters” are the standards who guide his artwork.
The exhibition will open March 21st and run until April 18th, 2026.
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
- 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 – The medium IS the message: May 10, 2025 – May 31, 2025
- Lucy Sinkkonen – Calling and Renewal: June 7, 2025 – July 5, 2025
- Eric Zuccola – Preposterous Portraits: July 12, 2025 – Aug 2, 2025
- Jill Whitney – Making Waves: August 9, 2025 – September 6, 2025
- Deborah Ann Kirkeeide – Captured By Color: September 13, 2025 – October 11, 2025
- Bonnie Klatt – The Sacred Patterns in Nature: October 18, 2025 – November 7, 2025
- Emma and Emery Tiffner – Double Take: January 10th – January 31st