My Biz: Owner of Chait Galleries Downtown shows wide variety of local art

IOWA CITY - The Chait Galleries Downtown features a wide range of art from local and regional artists - some of whom have international experience.

Chait said he often hears the space described as a New-York-style gallery with an eclectic atmosphere.

'People love to come in here and just enjoy the environment,” said owner Benjamin Chait. 'Whether they buy something or not, they just come in to feel better.”

Chait and his wife, Terri Miller Chait, opened the gallery in 2003 after moving their video store, That's Rentertainment, to a different location. The couple removed walls, ceilings and floors in the building, which first opened in 1883.

In addition to the main floor gallery, the couple also operates a shop in the basement that offers custom framing, lighting and installation.

An architect by trade, Benjamin Chait runs and organizes the gallery while Terri Miller Chait deals with the business and marketing side of the operation.

'We've always had an interest in art and having a gallery,” he said.

Chait said one of the largest challenges the gallery has faced since opening is gaining name recognition within the community. He also added that summer is usually a slower time for business since many are on vacation.

Local artist David Wilder, who has shown his art there for six months, said the gallery captures many periods of art and is not confined to a particular style or 'shtick.”

Wilder added having a local gallery also provides artists with a voice and opportunity to have their work seen and sold.

'Your work just seems different when you see it on the wall in a gallery,” Wilder said.

Wilder said it can be difficult for an artist to show their work to someone else, but he said Chait makes people feel comfortable about the process.

Chait, who only accepts about 20 to 25 percent of the art he sees, said he looks for pieces that have an asthetic appeal and match the harmony of the gallery.

'You just try to pick things that get along with each other, it's just kind of a sixth sense as to you know how something feels,” he said.

Chait said he always is moving pieces around and rotating art from open storage to the gallery.

'Nothing is ever static in here for very long,” he said.

AT A GLANCE

Business: The Chait Galleries Downtown

Owners: Benjamin Chait and Terri Miller Chait

Address: 218 E. Washington St., Iowa City

Phone: (319) 338-4442

Website: www.chaitgalleries.com