WE'VE BEEN TO MARKET

new things arriving daily.

It's been a very challenging winter, but finally, the snow and ice are melting and the robins have shown up. And we get to unpack all those lovely new things that have started coming in from our trip out east to the wholesale shows.

Artists working with GREEN ideas

Green and Recycled works took center stage at the wholesale shows, and we've already received great new work by some of these artists. GG2G's  "ReVinylized" Bags are made in several sizes from discarded billboard fabric and can be wiped clean. 3 Sisters creates purses using LP records; we carry their "Legends of Rock" series. They also make a really fun line of jewelry using dominoes as the base for other imagery. Also affordably priced, jewelry by Nettles uses recycled glass.

shown: 3 Sisters Legends of Rock bag (top)

(SOLD but we have other bags and are reordering this style)

domino jewlery, and Nettles Pendant (bottom)

Figs & Ginger Jewelry uses only recycled silver along with other ecofriendly practices. Add to that our perennially favorite bracelets, earrings and pendants made from vintage typewriter keys by Kristin Garnant.
 

Like to play with your jewelry? With Got All Your Marbles? jewelry, you can insert a different marble each day depending on your mood and color preference. We carry their rings and pendants, each with a selection of 9-15 marbles. Lauren Henry casts sterling silver into pendants, earrings & scarf clips.
 
Also received: new woodfire pieces by Bradley B Pottery & Jason Bohnert; striking metal wall clocks with pendulum by Kronos; blockprinted woven silk scarves in soft colors by Arin Arthur, and more. We expect new arrivals in the next few months, including furniture by Bella Bella out of Bloomington, Indiana and works for the wall by several new consignors. We'll keep you posted!
 
WEDDING GIFT CENTRAL

American-made Art to use by nearly 200 creative artists....

Our customers love the options we have for unusual wedding gifts in all price ranges. In addition to work by the many artists currently in our store, we’ve added new works with wedding season in mind. These include the polymer-based Raw Art salt shakers shown above, and Jonathan Spoons’ “Lazy Spoons.” These have been featured on the Food Network’s cooking shows. We offer a gift registry for the recipients. And we’ll do up your packages with our specialty marble paper wrap or complimentary curling ribbons.

WEB UPDATE UNDERWAY

We'll add an online store!

We are currently redesigning our website. Upgrades in navigation and readability are our first priorites.
 
We are also developing an online store. In it we'll carry some of our more popular items that are available on an ongoing basis and also easily shipped. We'll have jewelry, Connie Roberts whistles, ceramic mugs, kitchen and wooden ware, Brian Andreas' StoryPeople prints, notecards and local books and CDs. Art for the walls includes archival prints by Marcia Wegman & Suzanne Aunan, and handprinted originals by Larry Welo, Carl Homstad, & Lennis Moore, as well as Mini-Moos by Valerie Miller. We're excited!

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OUR MISSION

Iowa Artisans Gallery was founded in 1984 and is still owned by five of the original twelve founders. The store now occupies its third successive location, a 4000 sq foot space shared with DJ Rinner Goldsmith, the business of owner Don Rinner. Other co-owners include woodworker Russell Karkowski, basket maker Earlene Giglierano, and potters Christiane Knorr and Marilyn Davis. For more information about the Gallery's history, please visit the History page on this website. The gallery represents close to 200 artists, still specializing in Midwestern craft but with representation from around the country. Aside from works in ceramic, glass, metal, wood, fiber and paper, the Gallery also carries selected original prints, photography and paintings. It has a strong following of local and national customers and was named one of 33 Niche 2007 Top Retailers of American Craft, a designation based on 18,000 artist nominations of over 600 galleries. The Gallery's staff, many of whom are artists, see presentation of the work plus information about artists as enhancing the visitor’s experience. The Gallery maintains an ongoing special exhibition schedule, plus opportunities for layaway, in-home approval, and unique giftwrap.

But most of all, it is the connection the gallery staff is able to make between artists and customers and vice versa, that allows the gallery to flourish. For that we thank everyone who visits, calls and emails the store.

Downtown Iowa City's Old Capitol Cultural District is a wonderful place to find unique personalized gifts, and Iowa Artisans Gallery is one of its premier destinations.

Iowa Artisans Gallery is open daily at 207 E. Washington, near the Englert Theatre in the heart of the Old Capitol Cultural District in downtown Iowa City. Hours are Monday-Wednesday 10-6pm; Thursday & Friday 10-7pm; Saturday 10-5:30pm; and Sunday 12-4pm. We adopt winter hours January 1 - March 31, closing at 6pm weekdays.

ARTIST INFORMATION

Iowa Artisans Gallery sells a mix of consigned and store-owned work.  Artists with a time-tested wholesale production line may send or email us information for wholesale purchase consideration.

Consignment juries take place in February, April, June, September and October. Please email us with your address and we will send complete jury information. Thank you.