Jeff Sivyer is an artist at Stella’s Art Gallery in Willoughby and owner of Record Time. (Marah Morrison — The News-Herald)
No matter what level or stage they’re at in their art, Stella’s Art Gallery in Willoughby has grown to be an incubator for artists.
This is something that Jeff Sivyer, an artist at Stella’s and owner of Record Time, has observed.
“It’s an incubator for discovering who you are,” he said. “Being a part of this gallery makes you better. It calls things out of you that maybe you couldn’t do on your own.
“There’s something about the total environment that assists you in becoming all that you can be,” he added. “That includes everything from the business side on how to develop your artist statement to how to develop a webpage to how to sell online, do online sales and then the interaction between artists.”
According to Dani Klein, Stella’s Art co-owner and artist, the gallery’s online presence allows for the public to access classes, calls for art and to see where artists are traveling to.
“Something that’s very cool is some places will allow artists to have stuff on the wall with their QR codes and people can buy stuff right there,” Klein said. “We’re in the Willoughby Senior Center, the Jenks (Building), Facebook and Instagram.”
On Dec. 8, the gallery will kick off its Maker’s Market from 6 to 9 p.m. at 38033 Euclid Ave. The market will run through Jan. 2, however, if people purchase from the artists directly on the evening of Dec. 8, they get 100% of the sales, Klein said.
“If for some reason people can’t come, the market is going to be set up through Jan. 2, but the commission is only waived the night of Dec. 8,” she said.
Klein, alongside Carol Pitts, Stella’s Art co-owner and artist, started doing pottery together about 10 years ago. It got to the point where the two wanted a brick and mortar store.
“Stella’s Art is named after my mother,” Pitts said. “She was a fabulous artist. We keep growing. Willoughby is very good to us as far as the art world and everything else.”
Stella’s has since grown into a community of more than 70 artists who feature paintings, drawings, assemblages, collages, pottery, jewelry, photography and digital painting.
“We are way more than just a gallery,” Klein said. “I call us a working gallery, which I deemed as you’ll find artists working. We operate like a co-op as well. When they come in to do their shift, we encourage artists to bring something to work on and just engage with the people who walk in.”
Additionally, Stella’s offers classes at wineries, classes for children who are homeschooled and hosts a comedy club once every other month. The gallery is also dog friendly and hosts other various events.
“I tell people this is my ‘Cheers’ bar,” said Tracy Zakraysek, artist. “When I started, I was a baby artist. I was just starting out, making fine art. I had no artist friends and then I met all of these wonderful people.”
Expertise and support are shared among artists at Stella’s, Zakraysek said.
“I don’t think I could have landed in a better spot,” said Joseph John, a local black and white photographer. “I came from corporate America, so I knew nothing about the art world. It wasn’t something I was planning. It just kind of happened and I have been riding the wave.”
Since having his own studio at Stella’s for a year, John has been exposed to and has had opportunities in the art world he would have never had on his own through the connections he has made there, he said.
“This is a mecca for resources for a new artist or even somebody who’s been in the business for a long time,” John said.
Things happen at Stella’s that people would never expect — good things, said Christine Siarka, part-time artist and who also does bodywork.
“Recently, because of our expansion, I’m able to be doing both my loves in one place,” she said. “I’m very grateful.”
Through Stella’s, the public continues to see art, watch how it’s done, take classes of what interests them and meet people, Pitts said.
“Our classes are a little bit different than typical places where we offer a variety,” she said. “You can sign up for a class, take it once and you’re not committed for the long run,” she added. “However, if you enjoy it, you can repeat because you learn something different each time.
“Sometimes customers will come in and they’ll be like, ‘I want to learn how to draw.’ We’ll connect them to an artist. It’s very one-on-one, customized classes. It’s an experience.”
