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 funding options such as grants and fundraisers to get a chair lift installed for the stairway 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
- 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: Saturday, June 15, 2024 – Saturday, July 6, 2024
- Jerry Jorgenrud: Saturday, July 13, 2024 – Saturday, August 3, 2024
- Levi Berg: Saturday, August 10, 2024 – Saturday, September 7, 2024
- Jeannine Kitzhaber: Saturday, September 14, 2024 – Saturday, October 5, 2024
- Emma Ahart: Saturday, October 12, 2024 – Saturday, November 9, 2024
- Carol Colins: Saturday, November 16, 2024 – Saturday, January 4, 2025
Gallery Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – 3pm
Someone may be available beyond those hours. 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: Bits and Places
Rumriver Art Center will present a new gallery show titled: Bits and Places. The show’s opening will take place in the 21 Step Gallery (2665 4th Ave, Suite 201) on Saturday, April 20, from 2pm-4pm. The gallery show will feature artwork from a variety of mediums by Lynelle Kocher. Lynelle will be hosting an Artist Talk on Thursday, April 25 from 6-7pm. She will also host a Meet the Artist on Saturday, May 4 from 11-2 where attendees can meet Lynelle and will learn about her as an artist and the creative process she uses in creating her artwork. These events are free and open to the public.
Lynelle Kocher has been an artist for as long as she can remember. She grew up in the country in North Dakota, enjoying wide open spaces and beautiful sunsets. Lynelle enjoyed taking walks in the woods where she would find things to add to her many collections. That became her early inspiration for her art.
Lynelle attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a BA in visual arts. She then went on to be an Art Teacher for 35 years. During that time, she also worked at local art centers, and did other jobs and activities that stretched her creative spirit.
In her art, Lynelle gravitated toward a strong use of color and texture. In the show, you will see several examples of the media she likes to use, including colored pencils, watercolor, acrylic and acrylic paint chips. The paint chip idea came about during her teaching. She would have her students use cool whip containers as their paint palettes. When they were done with a color, they would let any leftovers dry on the palette, then peel it off the next day. Lynelle thought these were some pretty neat pieces of color and started collecting them. She did her first acrylic paint mosaic in 2004, and the style has evolved over the years.
Lynelle says, “Inspiration for my work comes from different places I’ve been. Traveling has allowed me to explore new themes in my artwork. Each piece in the show has somehow been inspired by a place I’ve been. The name of the show, “Bits and Places”, comes from a combination of the paint mosaic idea, and the places I’ve been.”
Bits and Places is a fun show for all to stop by and see. This show will be on display through May 11, 2024.
Next Gallery Show: Themes from Nature: A Collection
Rumriver Art Center will present a new gallery show titled: Themes from Nature: A Collection by artist MaryLeah Marshall. The gallery opening will take place in the 21 Step Gallery (2665 4th Ave, Suite 201) on Saturday, May 18, from 2pm-4pm. The gallery show will feature acrylic and watercolor paintings. Marshall will be hosting a Meet the Artist on Wednesday, May 22 from 10:30am-12pm. She will also host an Artist Talk on Thursday, May 23 at 6 pm where attendees can meet MaryLeah and will learn about her as an artist and the creative process she uses in creating her artwork. These events are free and open to the public.
Andover Artist MaryLeah Marshall grew up in Michigan and holds degrees in Art and Art Education from Grand Valley State University. She has been a teaching artist for over 30 years. She says she has immense pleasure in sharing her passion for art with others. Marshall says, “My inspiration comes from nature, and I find the creative process and the unexpected qualities of watercolor to be particularly beautiful.”
Her current body of work reflects her love for nature and her fascination with the cycle of seasons in Minnesota. MaryLeah explains why she loves Minnesota seasons, “The colors and moods of each season inspire me, and I strive to capture that essence in my art. The brilliant and vibrant hues of autumn, the icy blues and whites of winter, the fresh greens of spring, and the warm and golden tones of summer have all found a place in my art, allowing me to express my emotions and share my experience of the world around me through my work.”
Themes from Nature: A Collection is a fun show for all to stop by and see. This show will be on display through June 8, 2024.
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