Creativity and fine Iowa craft wines were flowing in equal measure Friday night as the public finally got its eagerly awaited first look inside of Studio Sol, Eagle Grove's new art gallery, which is also a hybrid maker space and wine bar. The event drew a standing room only crowd.
Outgoing Chamber of Commerce director Sara Middleton, who resigned from the Chamber to open the gallery and join the ranks of the local business owners the Chamber represents and further enrich the community she's so faithfully served, was flowing through the space as well. Both physically, and in the spirit of the place.
"I think artistic vibes flow when you're surrounded by… all of this," said Valerie Lowe, gesturing to all the funky details in the space, as she enjoyed lounging in an easy chair on the stage. "There's just a total vibe going on here that is awesome! And it's big city. Big city vibe, small town feel."
Through most of her life, Middleton never would have guessed she'd become an artist, much less a gallery owner. "Art came to me suddenly, with no warning or training, when I was 41 years old," she said. "Because of that, I know deep in my bones that we all have creativity, in some form, within us. And beyond that, I think we all owe it to ourselves to tap into that creativity. I hear a lot of people say 'but I can't even draw a stick figure,' and I think we do ourselves a huge disservice by comparing ourselves to others or to what's been done before."
The same notion of casting off the fears that come from judging her work against that of others also helped Middleton delve into the art of the written word. Soon after she began writing a popular syndicated column, The Idyllic Life. Middleton also contributes to the Eagle Grove Eagle and the Wright County Monitor, as a correspondent.
And, because of her strong belief that "art is for everyone" (as the gallery's slogan states) Middleton decided that she wanted to help other people discover the joy of creativity, not just at any stage in their lives, but because of what we all go through as we move through the stages of our lives. "The best part of creativity is, like the immortal Bob Ross would say, 'you get the chance to create a whole new reality.' If I can help people express and cultivate creativity, whether they are new to art and crafts or are seasoned professionals, then I've potentially helped them get to know themselves, learn to take risks, process trauma, or just make pretty stuff." Middleton explained. "Regardless, it's a worthwhile mission, I think."
One of the artists who had work on display at the opening, custom leather working artist Sarah Wibe, who came all the way from Virginia to be part of Middleton's unique hybrid gallery concept, made a similar point. "Art heals you in a way that nothing else does," Wibe said, echoing Middleton's comments.
And, she said, Eagle Grove and the surrounding communities are lucky to have Studio Sol, Wibe contended. "Eagle grove is so lucky to have a place just like this. Because you only get this in the city. And I live in the city," Wibe said, "and these places are hard to come by even in the city." As evidenced by the fact that even though she lives in a big city herself, Wibe still traveled all the way from Virginia to put her work on display here, in such a novel gallery. "The things they have available," Wibe explained, "you don't get in a small town. Any small town."
"Now," thanks to Middleton, Wibe said, "you have one in Eagle Grove." Which locals should consider themselves lucky about, Wibe said. Not just to have such a place, but also to have "Sara, and Sara's business and her brains and her talents and her depth."
Morgan Lowe was impressed to see people not just viewing art, but also making it, all at the same time. "I thought it was really neat, and nice to have everyone get together in a small town. Everyone getting together and making something," she said. "I thought it was really cool."
Local art teachers and dance coaches Meghan Erdman and Brandi Osborne were impressed with the gallery, and hopeful for what it can mean to the community. "As art teachers we are an escape for students who maybe aren't as successful as other students when it comes to the core, the academics, or the athletics," said Erdman, whose work was featured in the gallery. "It is a way for them to express themselves in a different way."
"It's a way for them to get their voice out," agreed Osborne, making the analogy, "we paint, we don't write."
"We tell stories through our paintings, through our art, through our work," said Erdman, expanding on the theme. "We share how we're feeling, what we're thinking. Just like we're dance coaches. We like to tell stories that way."
"Interpret feelings, and life," Osborne reinforced.
"So it's exciting that there's a place like this that kids could come after school and keep exploring," Erdman noted.
"And even adults, too. To find that," Osborne agreed, gesturing towards an adult patron whose face showed her surprise at her own talent as she made a custom decorated tile just feet away. "And to help kids at home"
"Sara, she just found who she is a couple years ago," said Erdman. "So it's like, art IS for everyone."
"You don't have to start when you're young," Osborne agreed. "You can start whenever."
And now, right here in Eagle Grove, there's a place where you can explore art, and your own creativity, whenever you're ready.
