Visual Art

From Flowers to Art

florist Brent Douglas plans to open new art gallery

Maggie McCracken |

Brent Douglas Foral o' the past ...
 
Brent Douglas Foral o' the past ...

Downtown Eau Claire florist Brent Stelzer (of Brent Douglas Floral) will soon have a new project on his hands: owning and directing an art gallery on Dewey Street. “We would like a mixture of artists … different ages, all mediums, all styles all backgrounds … we want it to be a melting pot, something for everyone,” Brent says of his new venture. His floral background and business downtown is the collaboration of his own artistic talent and the talents of his sister and staff. He plans on continuing to work in the floral industry in the space at 610 S Barstow, and make his 224 N Dewey St. store the gallery (opening early this fall). The gallery will feature a downstairs area for artists to work, store supplies, and stay organized. Artists can get involved by picking up an application at the flower shop and renting a space. “The hope of the gallery is to give an artist a piece of a store for them to show themselves and their art, network, and grown from other artists, and maybe give them an opportunity to make their living by creating art as well.”