DECORAH, Iowa — In one of Iowa’s most thriving artistic communities, Agora Arts Gallery has been a mainstay for 25 years, featuring American artists and craftspeople.
Agora Arts offers handmade holiday cards, pottery that’s both exquisite and functional, jewelry and prints, to name a few.
Gallery owner and longtime Decorah resident Gail Magnuson started the gallery as a space for local artists, but it’s blossomed into something much more.
“I started it because I was an artist myself, going to art shows all over the Midwest,” she said. “I realized there was an awful lot of art being sold by Decorah people elsewhere, but there was no outlet in town for them. Plus, I would rather sell other people’s work than make my own.”
More than 250 artists are in the gallery, although a few of the original ones remain. Magnuson keeps her eyes open for all sorts of artwork, no matter where it’s from. She goes to buying shows across the country to look for the finest handmade work.
“I would say that I try to concentrate on Midwestern artists, but art is like anything else, where it’s sort of regional,” Magnuson said. “For instance, there are lots of glassblowers in the Northwest, so a lot of our glasswork comes from there.”
The best-known artist at Agora is Brian Andreas, the creator of StoryPeople who has lived in Decorah. Customers can buy prints of his simple quotations with colorful drawings to illustrate them, or find greeting cards with his work.
He’s been selling at Agora since near its beginning. Magnuson said a couple other of her most popular ones are Valerie Miller’s Steel Cow of nearby Waukon and Nate and Hallie Evans of Allamakee Wood Fired Pottery in New Albin.
“I’ve got some serving bowls by Nate and Hallie at home, and I just love them,” Magnuson said. “It’s all really functional.”
Magnuson hopes to get online sales up and running soon.
“I wouldn’t sell everything, but I’m going to sell the things that are specific to Decorah or my gallery,” she said. “A lot of people who are in here __have their own online presence.”
An example of something she could sell are Christmas ornaments with paintings she’s commissioned specifically for Agora Arts. There would not be competition online for those.
The busiest time of year is upon Magnuson and her team. Luther College’s Christmas at Luther event was Dec. 1-4, which brings thousands of people to Decorah.
“It isn’t really a traditional tourist town because Luther is our tourists,” Magnuson said.
Agora Arts Gallery is a good place to find a meaningful gift for a loved one, whether it’s a heartfelt StoryPeople quote or a pair of shiny handmade earrings. You can even get a large vase with a bird on top, Magnuson’s personal favorite.
