November 25, 2004 • THE JOURNAL

ART-TASTIC

By Patty Jo Peterson

Jazz artists seemed to play saxophones soulfully from painted canvases while a ballerina sat on a one-dimensional studio floor, head resting on one hand, eyes gazing at inquiring passersby.

Jealously reared its ugly head in Rob Quinn’s haunting full-size oil positioned
next to a rendition of The Art of Hearing Less by Mark Loftus.

These creations were only a few of those Louisville Art Gallery showcased for its third anniversary reception Saturday featuring cheese, finger desserts, and of course, the best artwork in the metro area and beyond.

Fifty-five artists displayed their work for the celebration and by 7 p.m. the gallery was packed with admiring patrons.

Owner Steve Sherman hoped between 150 and 300 patrons would drop by for the anniversary. His hopes were ful filled.

"My customer base Is growing," Sherman said. "I’ve gone from zero to 1,600 names of people who have come in or purchased artwork. Five hundred bought and a lot of them are return customers."

Sherman credits the gallery’s success to friendly customer service, great artists and great volunteers.

"The nice thing about being here three years is I can work with the artists that are easy to work with," Sherman said. "I’m getting a reputation in the artists' community, so it’s getting easier to find good work."

Several artists new to the two-story gallery displayed works at Saturday’s event. Debra Zarley’s four-canvas series captured everchanging emotions in her bold paintings: Adagio, Pathetique, Blue Cave and Emotional High.

Cookie Johnson from Colorado Springs, Colo., had her first Nebraska showlng at the gallery with Ronda’s Flowers, a floral still life, and Memory Keeper, a country barn landscape.

"I’ve been an artist for years and just decided to check this gallery out and see how It would do," Johnson said. "It’s a pretty high-quality gallery."

While usually performing jazz at Mr. Toads in Omaha, Luigi Waites displayed two untitled digitalized images for the first time ever.

From not far down the road, Virginia Spiegel of Nebraska City showcased her mixed medium works that incorporate paint, textiles and anything else that strikes this nationally known artist’s fancy.

Between 3,500 and 4,000 square feet of space are entirely devoted to displays. High ceilings and natural lighting give patrons a view of small to large sculptures; oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings; and ceramics, oottery, fine art photography and mixed media works.

"The high-quality work you're able to get is amazing," Sherman said. "It's surprising to a lot of people. When I opened the gallery, I knew it and it's nice to have a venue to show it in."

Located at 230 Main Street in Louisville, the gallery is open Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4. Sherman will also open the gallery for special appointments.

"It's great space and it showcases some of the best artists in the area - not all of them - there's not room for all," Sherman said. "I will bring work to people's homes if they are unsure about a piece. That's part of the customer service."