Spirit of cooperation
Something for everyone at Makeshift Gallery

Marla De Armond, the General Manager of the Makeshift Gallery artists co-op. The gallery is filled with work from local artists. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent]

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

A sampling of work from artists at the Makeshift Gallery co-op. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent]

GALLUP — For those who have yet to discover Makeshift Gallery, consider Saturday’s Arts Crawl as an invitation to view the gallery’s unique and affordable art.

Makeshift Gallery is an artist co-op that sells the work of a dozen local photographers and artisans. Located in what used to be Gallery 211, Makeshift occupies the front gallery space of the Gallup Journey office at 211 W. Coal Ave.

Makeshift will be celebrating its one year anniversary next month, after being founded by Angie Klesert and Gallup Journey co-owner Nate Haveman.

“They just started recruiting people,” recalled Marla De Armond, the gallery’s general manager. “It was great.”
De Armond, who creates handcrafted, original jewelry, became a member of the co-op as a way to expand the market for her work. Prior to the establishment of the Makeshift Gallery, she said, she had to rely on selling at seasonal arts and crafts events. De Armond believes the gallery’s establishment also assists area residents who want a regular place to shop for original art and gift items without having to wait for those same seasonal art events.

“We want them to know where they can find us all the time,” she said.

“Almost everything in here is a one-of-a-kind item,” added De Armond, who believes the gallery offers “quality art at a reasonable price.”

According to De Armond, other current member artists and their work include Jennifer Boots-Marshall, jewelry; Sid Gillson, photographs; Nate Haveman, T-shirts; Marcy Holmes, jewelry and magnets; Angie Klesert, jewelry and pottery; Tony Klesert, photographs, watercolors, and cards; Maqui, pottery; Amanda O’Leary, yard art gourds and chimes; Sara Pikaart, candles, soaps, and lip balm; Betsy Robertson, woven fiber arts; Bruce Schuurman, photographs, bookmarks, and cards; and Chuck Van Drunen, photographs, magnets, and cards.

In order to sell artwork in the gallery, member artists pay an annual membership fee of $60, give 15 percent of their sales to the co-op, and donate about 10 hours of time per month to working in the gallery.

Makeshift Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. On Arts Crawl Saturdays, the gallery is also open from 6 to 9 p.m.

Information: (505) 879-6903 or marlade@msn.com