In the Gallery
BJ Grimmer & Margaret Ertz both paint from life, but from quite different perspectives. Both attempt to capture their own unique experiences, one in a rural setting and the other in a decidedly urban place. They share a love of light and shadow, one playing against nature, the other against architecture.
Margaret Ertz
I am a local painter based in downtown Burlington, Iowa. I have been drawing and painting for over 40 years and attended the University of Iowa School of Fine Arts from 1985-1988. I work in both oil & acrylic on canvas.
My paintings are based on direct observation and my own amateur photography of the cityscape of Burlington. The goal of my paintings is to capture scenes of daily life and reflect the beauty and complexity of buildings and places I pass by each day. I sometimes think of these as portraits
of the faces of buildings and places in my hometown. I enjoy finding and elevating the quiet and unrevered places around me, as well as the grand and historic architecture I see.
My style tends toward impressionism but I like to think my paintings also possess abstract elements.
BJ Grimmer
BJ has been making art for many years, having earned an art teaching and (subsequently teaching) from ISU and graduate credit from the University of Iowa. She has studied extensively from master painters and worked in oil, oil pastel and acrylic, her current medium of favor. Her love of painting is paired with her love of travel, especially in the west and southwest and internationally. She will travel to paint in Ireland for the third time this summer. Her paintings use her own photo references and plein air painting, ( on site.) Nature is the primary influence in her work, not in an attempt to duplicate but to initiate a response as a painting that reflects the joy of the outdoors.
Gallery hours are from 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday. Free and open to the public!
Gallery Lounge is open the 1st & 3rd Friday of every month from 5-8pm for art, live music, wine, beer, charcuteries, and uncorked conversations!
View the 2017 Gallery Schedule here.
Coming Up
The Nature of Change - Heath McPherson
July 1-28
Wine & Cheese Reception: July 8 from 4-6pm
Mezzanine Gallery
A second gallery located upstairs of the Art Center features larger artwork for sale and from our Private Collection.
Currently on Display
Large Artwork for Sale by:
Douglas Rutzen
Cecile Houel
Tim Laffey
Jill Kramer
Full Bloom: Pieces from our Private Collection
Mini Gallery
A small space between the Artists Market and Gallery.
featuring Giovanni Falcone during May