HAVE SPACE, WILL HANG. Menomonie’s new art co-op has 10 founding members, led by Hannah Schroeder, who was inspired while volunteering in an art classroom.

When entrepreneurial ideas meet a creative force, then combine with a ton of hard work, determination, and a little good will, some amazing things can happen. The same can be said for the group of students from Menomonie whose efforts have given birth to a new and unique establishment – Gallery 111.

The gallery has 10 founding members, led by the young and ambitious Hannah Schroeder, who came up with the idea while volunteering in an art classroom at River Heights Elementary School. “I noticed how beautiful the student art was. ... Then I realized that there are very few galleries that show elementary art,” she said.

These thoughts sparked her interest in one day owning a gallery where children could show their artwork, and it inspired her to think of something she could do in the community right now. After sharing some ideas with several teachers, friends, and fellow Stout art students, the idea evolved into a place where anybody could show their work, especially—but not exclusively— students. They got the word out about what they were thinking of doing, and within a week she said they had found enough interested people, a viable space, and had begun with the necessary renovations.

The idea caught on like wild fire. With the help of eight Stout students, two parents, donations, various volunteers, and a few funky fundraisers to get the financial ball rolling, it did not take long to transform the building formally known for its crusty old paintings of mermaids and dogs into a clean and elegant gallery. After five coats of paint, a new floor, and some track lighting, it was ready to host the formal grand opening on January 11. More than 280 people showed up, and by the end of the first night they had already sold some art pieces.

    Eventually, they plan for the gallery to become self-sustaining—drawing on artist memberships, donations, and the 10 members splitting the overhead costs. With three membership levels, anyone interested in having their art shown can pay $5, $8, or $20 a month, receiving 60, 70, or 90 percent of the value of any items sold respectively. Without the membership, the artist and gallery split any sales 50/50.

While the gallery’s opening show featured art pieces created by each of the founding members, from here on out they are ready and willing to show anybody’s art in any medium. They are determined to stand by their mission statement, which reads, “As a student-organized cooperative art gallery, Gallery 111 strives to fuse the ideals of a co-op, member-driven gallery with the ideals of a fine art gallery. It is our goal to provide an opportunity for local artists to display and sell their art in a professional space. Our doors are open to artists of all levels and mediums.”

Future initiatives sound promising, starting off with a February 5 gallery CD release entitled “East of the River,” containing tracks recorded by six local artists. Other impending plans include hosting a possible film festival, local plays, and more. As for new creative ideas and actually staffing the gallery, Hannah said, “Our goal is to keep this a fresh gallery, so when one of us graduates or leaves, we will replace ourselves with an intelligent younger student who will then work at the gallery.”

Visit Gallery 111 Thursdays through Sundays at 111 E Main St. in Menomonie, or else online at Gallery111Menomonie.com.