Ion Art: Arts and Culture magazine

Gallery Profile:

by Bradley David Williams

Iris Feutz has always had a passion for Amrican-made craft; regularly hitting craft fairs and galleries, gradually becoming a collector over the years. She shared this passion with her children teaching them to create homemade Christmas and birthday gifts for their grandparents. It wasn't until she and her husband Rick retired to Eureka Springs ten years ago, however, that Iris realized her dream of opening a gallery showcasing Fine American Craft.

The Beginnings

"It got to where you couldn't find good crafts," says Iris, remembering a decline in craft fairs in her area (Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic States) in the early eighties. "It slowly went away, so I thought, ÔOh my gosh, where is all this wonderful work we used to see?' That really got me wanting to bring together unusual things from all over the United States that most people don't see and that are affordable; so they can have some joy too."

The Feutzes opened Iris at the Basin Park in 1998 and began amassing what is today an astonishing collection of works from over 140 artists; some thirty percent of them local. While the store does sell paintings, its emphasis is clearly Fine American Craft: pottery, jewelry, glass, and other unique pieces. Some are functional while others strictly decorative. Niche Magazine, the industry publication devoted to fine craft, has recognized Iris at the Basin Park as one of the top galleries in the U.S.

Spending about two months each year traveling to art shows all over the country and networking with other galleries, Rick and Iris make a point of getting to know each artist personally. "That's the thing that we have really grown to love; we know most of our artists on a personal basis." Iris went on to explain, "I always order everything directly from the artist, over the phone or in person, so there's chit-chat like; How's your family?' We have become very good friends with many of them. We see a lot of them every year, and we also add new artists every year. It so rejuvenates you and enriches your soul and your spirit."

Sampling of Artists

One artist represented by the Feutzes from the gallery's beginning is Canton, Georgia-based potter Sue Burkhart Chisholm. One of Burkhart's techniques is creating a botanical design by imbedding soft slabs of clay with flowers, herbs and leaves. The clay is hand- shaped, dried, bisque-fired, glazed and then fired again. "We actually bought from her in 1997 before we opened the store," says Iris. "She does wall art as well as a wonderful nativity scene that we've sold for a several years. She's now stretching into other things. She's back throwing on the wheel."

Other potters and artisans represented by the gallery include New York-based Emily Pearlman, who carves beautiful purple irises on large tableware pieces. Robert and Karyl Hawkins, a Northwest Arkansas husband and wife team, make clay jugs and other pieces with distinctive handles resembling braided vines and ropes in their Klay Hawk Studios in Newton County, Arkansas. Among the hundreds of diverse items in the Feutzes' eclectic gallery are women's purses designed by C.L. Whiting, a leather artist in Washington State who uses patterns of leaves in her unique designs. Contemporary pieces of laser-cut stainless steel jewelry, sold under the brand Seeka, come from Nachshon Peleg and Stavit Allweis, an Israeli couple now living in Brooklyn, New York. Seeka also specializes in Judaica, including menorahs and other Jewish decorative items.

Cindy Galvan, a local artist, produces a vast range of different types of art, often using "found art;" random items that she picks up along her path through life. "She has an amazing talent for faces," Iris commented. Galvin's new works include framed wall art she calls Town Girls . The pieces are decorated with found Eureka treasures and the Town Girls have faces painted on old maps of Eureka Springs. Iris went on, "She is very, very creative. She brought in some little people with feet made of forks and arms made of spoons. She did a whole series of them and called them Quisquilians , because Quisquiliae is Latin for junk, and they're all made of junk. They each get a name. It's fun to represent people like Cindy."

Another popular local artist whose work can be found at Iris at the Basin Park is Valerie Hubbard Damon, who Iris calls a "creative genius." A former artist for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Damon is an acclaimed author and illustrator of children's books. The Feutzes convinced her to make prints of her whimsical illustrations. They also sell the actual books, as well as her Eureka Springs-inspired watercolors and pottery.

The Feutzes also enjoy showcasing the work of local musicians by selling their CD's and keeping their music playing in the store at all times.

Local Commitment

Extremely involved in the vibrant Eureka Springs arts community, the Feutzes are always eager to promote art, especially among young people. For the last six years, they have hosted an exhibit of pottery created by local high school art students. Last year's exhibit featured effigy pots made by the students and earned Iris at the Basin Park Niche Magazine's nomination for "Best In-Store Event."

One of the gallery's biggest assets is its prime location. The famous hotel, Basin Park, is a required stop for most visitors to Eureka Springs, whether they are staying there or not.

Iris at the Basin Park is located at 8 Spring St. in Eureka Springs, Arkansas (tel. 479.253.9494). The gallery is open year-round, seven days a week. Hours are generally 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.