Downtown Belleville sees the opening of a new art gallery, and it’s worth the visit
A new art gallery has opened in downtown Belleville.
Green Root Gallery, located at 125 E. Main St., is owned by Belleville resident Tom Wodarczyk, who bought the building this summer.
Wodarczyk said he’s using the space to bring a serious – without being pretentious – gallery here to Belleville and give local artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their works.
As an artist himself (oils and acrylics), he knows how difficult it can be to get a foot in the door when you’re young and just starting out.
Heck, even if you’re older and have been creating art for years, it can still be difficult.
Friday’s grand opening featured artists from the St. Louis metro-east area: Susan Rogers, Gray Finch, Kate Brockmeyer and Christine Lampe.
In addition to featuring selected artists’ works, Green Root will operate as a general consignment gallery, meaning that artists’ works can be purchased as well as viewed by the public.
Featured works are highlighted at the front of the gallery, and general consignment pieces are displayed at the back of the shotgun-style (long and narrow) building.
These pieces include wood carved pieces by Don Stone, mixed media works by Rance Currie, photos (some of familiar Belleville locations) by David Carriel, and several of Wodarczyk’s own paintings.
Wodarczyk said the Green Root Gallery is a grassroots project for artists.
He charges a commission rate that starts at 25%, which he said is lower than the industry’s average 50% rate.
After one month, this rate increases to 35%. The following month it goes to 40%, where it remains for the duration of an artist’s exhibition, which he said would last about three months.
He’s hoping for enough interest that he can rotate exhibitions every few months or so and would like to have something new for February.
Wodarczyk said artists interested in displaying their work can reach out by visiting greenrootgallery.com and clicking on the “For Artists” link.
From there, artists can provide their contact information, select their display preference (general consignment or featured artist), upload examples of their work and include an artist statement.
Wodarczyk will consider each artist’s application.
A blank canvas
Wodarczyk has called Belleville home since the 1980s, when his family moved to the area. His dad, Ronald Wodarczyk, served in the U.S. Air Force.
After his dad passed away earlier this year, Wodarczyk’s inheritance helped him to buy the building at 125 E. Main St.
Wodarczyk brightened up the formerly gray walls with a fresh coat of white paint – an ideal background for displaying colorful art.
The space also has accents of the light greens and yellows found in the Green Root logo, which consist of a sunflower with a plug for its roots.
He loves the logo and says the sunflower is a symbol for artists. It’s plugged into the area, feeding into it and bringing new energy.
The space may seem sparse to visitors, but Wodarczyk wanted to make the art the focus for all who stop by.
Wodarczyk’s gallery is just the beginning.
He wants to use the other three levels of the building (two upper floors and a basement).
For the second level, Wodarczyk would like to provide a space for workshops and classes.
Not only would Wodarczyk’s Green Root Gallery give the public beautiful art to view, it would be able to show others how art is made and how to create their own.
The top floor may be converted into studio space that artists can rent. One of those spots would be Wodarczyk’s own creative space, of course.
As for the basement, Wodarczyk would like to include a custom framing shop, which downtown Belleville currently lacks.
For now, Wodarczyk hopes that Belleville can benefit from access to more art and that his gallery can help grow the city’s entire art scene.
Because who couldn’t benefit from more art?
About Green Root Gallery
Green Root Gallery is located at 125 E. Main St. in downtown Belleville.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
For more information, call 618-510-9116, visit https://greenrootgallery.com/ or check out the Facebook page.
This story was originally published November 10, 2023 at 11:49 AM.
