Ground Floor: New artists ‘colony’ in Marion

MARION — A new addition to the Marion arts community is more than just an art gallery — it aims to be an artists colony.

At DKW Art Gallery and Studios, resident artists work on and display their work under one roof — a converted house along Marion's main street.

DKW is operated by artist and owner Deb Weiser and her husband, Mark. They modeled the business off an Atlanta, Ga., arts group to which Deb belonged before to the couple's relocation to Iowa.

'One nice thing about this community we set up is that artists who use different techniques and have different knowledge provide feedback and suggestions to one another,' Deb said. 'We cheer each other on, and we all benefit from the inspiration and the energy.'

'We're very much like a family,' added Mark, who serves as gallery manager.

Five resident artists, including Deb, currently maintain studio space at the gallery, where patrons are able to see the artists at work. Other member and associate artists display and sell their work there.

The gallery features the work of 17 artists in various media — acrylics, watercolor, photography, ceramics, glass, metal, stone and more. The artists include students just starting out as well as retirees embarking on new careers.

'Many of our artists have not had their work on exhibit before,' Mark said. 'They are just getting out of the garage or basement and into a dedicated space.'

The Weisers are not new to the art business. The couple owned a combination gourmet supply store and art gallery in Punta Gorda, Fla., but lost the business when Hurricane Charley hit in 2004. They then relocated to Atlanta to be near their son and his family.

Four years ago, after their son transferred to Cedar Rapids for a job at Rockwell Collins, the Weisers packed up and moved again.

'We enjoyed Georgia, but we also enjoy our grandchildren,' Mark said.

After spending a couple years looking for the right location for a new business, the Weisers moved into the Marion house in July and opened DKW Art Gallery and Studios on Sept. 2.

They said they were particularly attracted to the Uptown Marion area and its growing arts community because it reminds them of Punta Gorda.

'Marion has that special spirit where people love music and the arts,' Deb said. 'We want to develop not just the business, but the city itself. Hopefully art can be a part of that.'

To that end, the Weisers plan to work with the Marion Chamber of Commerce, the arts council, and other local art galleries and artist groups on cooperative events such as a public art display and a gallery walk.

DKW Art Gallery and Studios also offers individual and group art classes, a quarterly call-to-artists juried art show, and commissioned art work.

AT A GLANCE

Owner: Debra Weiser

Gallery Manager: Mark Weiser

Business: DKW Art Gallery and Studios

Address: 840 Seventh Ave., Marion

Telephone: (319) 200-4358

Email: DKWgallery@yahoo.com

Website: www.dkwgallery.com

If you know a young business that would be ideal for 'The Ground Floor,' contact michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com