Hi Friends!
As many of you know, I’ve been honored to show my artwork at a few very special galleries in northeast Iowa over the past several years. Having a brick-and-mortar business is no cakewalk and I appreciate what these galleries have done and continue to do for me, for our communities, and for the arts in northeast Iowa.

I know times may be especially hard for our gallery/tourist scene across the country and in our small towns here in northeast Iowa through the summer. I’ve been trying to think of a way that I can give back to these establishments and have decided to feature a gallery that represents my artwork each month.

My featured gallery for the month of JUNE is G’s Closet and Gallery in Elkader, Iowa.

It’s funny how life works out… I first met Sally years ago, when she frequented Willow Creek with her granddaughters.

How I met Sally
It all started when I was new to Iowa and had made fast friends with Janet Pries, owner of Willow Creek Garden Decor and More. Janet welcomed me and my artwork into her lovely shop. It was my first Iowa storefront and I was blessed with fun conversations from all of our many regulars, including Sally Stendel. Fast-forward to the bittersweet day when Janet made plans to retire and I was not able to take on the business alone with an infant in my arms. Luckily, before too long I heard the news that a new couple from Cedar Rapids was opening a shop in the space where Willow Creek once was. I popped over to introduce myself and was surprised to find Sally and Steve hard at work in the middle of renovating their new space. I instantly felt better knowing these familiar faces would fill the space on Main Street. I was even more excited and touched when I found out they wanted to open a gallery in addition to their clothing boutique!

When Sally asked me to sell my artwork on the same walls I had loved so dearly the years before, I could barely contain myself. I’ve been excited to exhibit at G’s Closet and Gallery since they opened their doors, and was honored to be their featured artist this past March! Life is funny.

What you can find at G’s Closet and Gallery

• Designer Clothing

• Fine Art

• Jewelry

• Books by National Award Winning Local Authors, and

• Pilates Classes!

In addition to clothing, ART, jewelry, and representing local authors, G’s Closet and Gallery has also opened their arms to Inhale Exhale Pilates Studio, another new business in Elkader. If you haven’t been by to see all that they have to offer, you really need to make a point to visit. While they plan to remain closed to the public until June 10th, Sally would be happy to meet one-on-one with you and give you a private access tour of the artwork on display, and let you get a sneak peek at the new items on the shelves in the boutique.

How Sally + Steve Contribute to our Community
Since Sally and Steve opened G’s Closet and Gallery, they’ve also welcomed several other northeast Iowa artists into their space. They’ve supported our community in numerous ways, including a fantastic fundraising event for Art in the Alley. They’ve been dedicated to the merchant group in downtown Elkader, they’ve both helped during and with fundraising events for Art in the Park, and they helped host Elkader’s first ever First Friday Gallery Crawl in March - just before we all had to close our doors. Sally has also been an active volunteer on the Art in the Park committee for the past two years and I can’t even begin to tell you all that Steve has been up to, too!

A Special Thanks
From NOW through June, I’ve decided to up my commission to 50% for artwork sold by G’s Closet and Gallery. That means if you buy one of MY JWebb original paintings (or JWebb Greeting Card sets) at the gallery now through JUNE 30th, 50% of that sale will go directly to the gallery. This is just a small way that I can say thank you to these wonderful friends who support the arts and our community. So if you’re in the mood for a new piece of art to brighten your walls, or greeting cards to uplift a friend, you can help one of our local galleries and support me at the same time!

The images below are a sampling of my current artwork available at G’s Closet and Gallery, 115 N Main St., Elkader, Iowa.
Please give Sally a call or send them an e-mail to set up a private viewing!

Sally’s e-mail address is: gscloset@alpinecom.net

Thank you for supporting your local businesses!
XO,
Jillian