MARQUETTE — Zero Degrees Gallery continues to serve as a showcase for a spectrum of talented local artists and a great place to purchase local art work. Its home has been on North Third Street in Marquette for a decade now.

The wide array of beautiful art makes it the perfect place to shop for a gift for your Valentine — or yourself.

“We now have a three-year lease which gives us considerably more stability,” said Marc Himes, one of the longtime members who does wood turned art.

The gallery, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has 38 active members who offer everything from greeting cards to jewelry to blacksmithing.

Zero Degrees has established itself as a place where new artists are welcome.

“The artists that are members of the gallery are a very interesting and creative group, featuring those who do art for a living as well as those who have retired from their prior jobs and have devoted themselves to creating art,” Himes said. “There are retired doctors, educators, nurses, business people and even a Fulbright Scholar among the members.”

The artists each have duty at the gallery equivalent to eight hours of work a month.

“For most members, this means two four-hour shifts of gallery sitting a month,” Himes said. “Some members get credit for other types of work in the gallery such as cleaning or administrative work.”

Himes said people are welcome to go to Zero Degrees to browse. They will find functional items as well as decorative pieces.

Zero Degrees has become a stopping point for many visitors.

“In the summertime, at least half of people who come in are from out of town,” Himes said. “And quite a few people have told us that we are their ‘must stop’ spot when they visit.”

The participating artists at Zero Degrees have won a bounty of awards. Many have done artist-in-residency posts. The gallery artists also believe in taking part in community events.

“We take part in Ladies Night and in Music on Third,” Himes said. “And we have our own Art Gives Back Program where money from the sale of certain pieces of art is donated to local organizations such as Beacon House, Room at the Inn and UPAWS.”

Himes said Zero Degrees is always looking for new artists. Visit the gallery’s website, zerodegreesgallery.org for more information about joining the artist roster.

And about the gallery name:

“The name came about because none of the founders had an art degree,” Himes said. “And there are zero degrees of separation in Marquette. And the temperature is often zero and lower.”

Zero Degrees Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. It is located at 525 N. Third St. in Marquette, on the southwest corner of Ohio and Third streets. The phone number is 906-228-3058 and the gallery’s Facebook page can be found by searching for Zero Degrees Gallery.

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