NEBRASKA CITY – The Grove, A Gallery held a Feb. 2 grand opening in downtown Nebraska City.
Owner Steve Grove said it was rewarding to see over 125 people and 29 artists come out on a foggy, winter’s evening.
Grove: “We are packed to the gills with talent. We have over half a dozen internationally-known artists, who have never shown anywhere else and you can not find them anywhere else.”
The halls and display rooms of the gallery feature a variety of artwork, including original paintings, glass work and jewelry.
Grove, who has previously operated galleries in California and Oregon, said the gallery has artists from a multitude of different states and one from Australia, who has never shown in the United States before.
There are certified silversmiths and dexterous multi-media artists like Cindy Chinn of Chester, Neb.
Her Calvary-scene bench is carved from a worn-out church pew and features her foray into stained glass. The idea is new, but the creativity is familiar.
Chinn: “Forever. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t an artist.”
In addition to the lighted bench, Chinn also made a mechanical, wearable parrot.
She said the gallery lets her focus on creating while Grove handles marketing.
Deb Costello, who credits Frank Lloyd Wright for her inspiration, has a variety of traditional stained glass and kiln glass.
She said the Nebraska City gallery offers a new way to show her work.
Costello: “I’m not very far from here. I’m about 20 miles from here. I usually do outdoor festivals in the summer months and not anything in the winter months.”
The sale price of work in the gallery ranges from Chinn’s $17,000 bench to $17 handmade spoon rings.
Grove said you don’t have to be wealthy to deserve art.
Grove: “For a little town like this, which I believe sorely needed it and the reception here has been fantastic, it’s amazing the number of people coming in and out of the doors every day.”
Artists also work in the gallery, creating new works each week. Saturdays are booked with artist receptions.
