The Sower Gallery, now part of the non-profit organization Spirit in the House, has as its mission to reach out to the community and to artists through art of all kinds. Art ,music, and authors' events are held, and art is often for sale.
The Sower Gallery , within the non-profit organization Spirit in the House, is part of an Arts Ministry established by the Shepherd of the Hill Church, in Chaska, MN. The gallery is housed in the Gathering Space as you enter the church, and is an outreach through art to the community and to artists. Showing in the gallery is open to both established and emergent artists, who may submit their work without a fee. The gallery has been open since October of 2015, and has had 8 shows since then, both group themed shows and solo shows of individual artists. Calls to Artists are made periodically on the gallery’s website, through the Arts Consortium of Carver County website, and through individual contacts and invitations from the gallery director and staff. Gallery staff members are responsive to new artists’ initiating contact, and this process has often led to the inclusion of fresh and interesting art.
Submitted art is selected for showing by the gallery director and gallery preparator. When the jurying process for selecting art to be in shows involves more than gallery staff, artists will be informed about the process and the results.
The gallery publicizes shows through the newspaper, flyers, social media, and email artists and client lists. Each show has an Opening or an Artist’s Reception, with refreshments, coordinated and hosted by the Gallery Director. Artists often contribute food offerings to these events.
Artists may show their work as for sale, or not for sale. Work in a show can be sold on behalf of the artist by gallery staff, or by direct contact with the artist as facilitated by the gallery. The artist receives 75% of the sale price. Twenty-five percent of the sale price is shared between the church (15%) for its ongoing missions and the gallery (10%). Maintenance and development of the gallery does not depend on funds from Shepherd of the Hill, which has already provided its space at almost no cost. Besides 10% of sales, the gallery, as a project of the non-profit organization Spirit in the House, operates on volunteer time and on donations from visitors and other supporters.
The gallery has also been requested for other events, such as authors’ readings, and book launchings. Music has been part of some gallery events, and worked well in the space.
The gallery is open from 9:30-12:30 daily during shows, but hours vary from show to show. Any additional hours or changes will be listed here or on the facebook posts. Currently (April 1-17) the gallery is not open for a show. The "Water"show will open April 18th through May 26. The opening for this show will be Saturday, April 22, from 7-9 PM.
