ARTlandish Gallery brightens up the North Village Arts District

New gallery offers studio space, original artwork and unique gifts.

By Theresa Berens

Published Aug. 25, 2009

Visitors to the latest addition to the North Village Arts District are greeted by a sunny display of mixed media pieces, photography and stained glass. Unique items including art, antiques, fine crafts and even art supplies are available for purchase.

ARTlandish Gallery, at 1019 E. Walnut St., opened July 24 during an Artrageous Friday, a quarterly event in downtown Columbia featuring 22 downtown businesses, such as Bluestem Missouri Crafts, Poppy and Orr Street Studios.

The gallery saw about 300 visitors its grand opening night, said gallery co-owner Lisa Bartlett. She said the next Artrageous event will span the entire weekend of Oct. 9-11.

"It's been great," she said. "The community response has been phenomenal."

The gallery is also planning to hold an open-air art market called the North Village Artists Market in conjunction with Sven's Kafe and Gallery on Oct. 10 at 110 N. Orr St. The market will cover part of the alley and into the street.

Bartlett is native of Alexandria, Va., and earned her Bachelor's of Fine Arts at Columbia College. She has lived and worked in Columbia ever since. Her specialty is in mixed media, but she also enjoys painting and drawing. She shared ownership of Spare Parts Gallery at 8 S. Ninth St. in 2007. After the economy took a turn for the worse, she and the other owners decided to close the shop.

Bartlett said since then, she has wanted to own another shop. She said she seized the opportunity to open a gallery in the up-and-coming North Village Arts District.

"There will be some time before we're really discovered since that whole area is being developed," she said. The gallery represents 37 artists.

So far, Bartlett has seen a mix of students and other Columbia residents among her customers, especially now as students return to Columbia for the upcoming school year. Many shop for the one-of-a-kind gifts the ARTlandish Gallery has to offer.

"I really like having young people shop for art," she said. "I think it's important to instill a creative spirit."

ARTlandish offers a variety of workshops including jewelry, mixed media, collage and found object jewelry. Bartlett said she hopes to expand the gallery's workshop offerings and has bookbinding, linoleum block-cutting and other classes in the works. These workshops are held in a studio at the back of ARTlandish Gallery.

ARTlandish is adjacent to the North Village Art Studios. The studio spaces are in an industrial style and can be accessed using a staircase near the back of the gallery. More art is displayed on easels in the darkened entryway to the studios. Artists including Boxcar Films, Lake Side Studios Photo, Monarch Jewelry, Moonshadow Studio, Kimberly Wright Art and Life Photography occupy spaces.

The local aspect of the gallery is particularly important to Bartlett.

"I really enjoy offering local artists' work," she said. "It's amazing how much beautiful artwork there is in this town, undiscovered."