“We are committed to the tradition of nurturing and developing the careers of local and regional artists.”
In 1973, a group of local artists came together to create what would be known as the Groveland Gallery. For 50 years, the gallery has enabled local artists to show and sell their art. On May 6, the gallery will start its 50th anniversary celebration with four months of exciting events.
When one enters the historic 1894 Frank B. Long House across from the Walker Art Center, the visitor is able to view two art shows in a well-lighted, pleasing environment. Either Sally Johnson, the gallery director, or Andrea Bubula, the gallery manager, is happy to discuss and answer questions. The gallery is a dynamic space as the shows change every six weeks. The exhibits enable artists to showcase their works, but a customer can always view artwork by the other 30 Groveland artists in the back room. These artists share a commonality of creating representational art with recognizable subjects and imagery that is pleasing and connects with the viewer. Sally says that Groveland Gallery is a place where art enthusiasts come and turn into art collectors.
Groveland has a devoted following. Sally recounts how even during Covid she would stand in front of the large porch window and hold up artworks for viewing. It is easy to see how one would become a regular as the space is inviting, and Sally and Andrea, both artists who turned to art management, are so welcoming. Both women feel extremely lucky to do this work. “The artists are so interesting, and I get to work with people who want to be here learning about the art,” Sally says. She especially enjoys that she can share an artist’s techniques and vision with a customer and in turn share the customer’s thoughts with the artist. “It's rewarding to be a conveyor of information.”
Andrea mentions that there is a web of connections among the artists who support one another beyond the gallery. This is a direct result of the management style. Kit Wilson, an artist who has been represented by Groveland for 22 years, says, “Sally has created a community at the Groveland Gallery. She encourages the artists to come to one another’s openings. Instead of being siloed, we have a community. Sally has done that.” The 50th Anniversary will celebrate this community of over 100 artists who have been a part of the Groveland Gallery.
The celebration starts on May 6 and has been divided into three parts. Each section will start with an opening reception. Starting with the Past (May 6-June 3), 25 artists from the beginning and early years will be featured. Brian Szott, the former fine art curator at the Minnesota Historical Society, will lead a roundtable discussion on May 13. The Present (June 10-July 15) will focus on the current artists with studio tours hosted by the artists and concluding with a Party on the Porch on July 8. The final group is the Future (July 22-August 19) and includes another roundtable discussion on August 10.
Kit Wilson says, “Sally and Andrea are so professional and good at their jobs. I have felt nothing but proper and good representation. They have been a fixture for 50 years because they have been steadfast in their mission and what they do.” Let’s hope that Groveland Gallery is part of the neighborhood for another 50!
Join the celebration at 25 Groveland Terrace for the Opening Reception on Saturday, May 6, 2-5 p.m.
For more information about the upcoming events, please visit https://grovelandgallery.com/.
