Dec. 12, 2024

An art gallery that opened recently in downtown Sioux Falls highlights both established artists and those who have never shown their paintings before.

El’s Gallery features work by regional artists such as Brad Kringen, Sharon Welch, David Sieh and Kelly Tadlock, who have established their careers, owner Ellen Clauson said. In addition, she describes a dozen of her artists as up-and-coming.

“It’s for people who wouldn’t normally have a place to hang something and show what they can do,” Clauson said. “That’s my goal. I have two ladies who have never hung a painting anywhere in here, and they have sold some of their stuff.”

El’s Gallery opened at 330 S. Phillips Ave. in a former clothing store. Clauson plans to take part in Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.’s First Friday events and intends to have live music Jan. 3.

Clauson’s own acrylic paintings will be on display. She uses her birth name, Ellen Decker, in her professional career and paints abstracts and dogs.

An Aberdeen native, Clauson moved to Sioux Falls in 1981. She studied art at two colleges, known today as the University of Sioux Falls and Northern State University, but didn’t pursue it for many years. Instead, she started an actual painting business — think interior walls — 24 years ago.

Now, in what she calls her “third stage of life,” Clauson has returned to fine arts. She started painting again during the COVID pandemic.

“I think I am a person that will probably work until I can’t possibly work anymore,” she said. “I thought it (opening a gallery) would be fun. The majority of artists in area are getting 60 and older, and I thought it would be good to give college students and young, new and upcoming artists a place to hang their work.”

Now, Clauson has the works of 15 artists on display in the 1,080-square-foot gallery and hopes to increase that number. Prices vary from $50 to $3,500.

“It was fun to see everybody’s different styles” when preparing to open the gallery, she said. “Everybody has a very unique way. There’s a lady that paints with just little dots, animals and stuff, and another artist that does heavy, heavy acrylics with texture in them, the Van Gogh style that I like.”

Clauson herself works with acrylics because she likes the way the paint flows. It “moves easy; it drags well,” she said. She also appreciates that the colors are true and not muted.

Her work has been on display at places such as La Luna Cafe and East Bank Art Gallery.

Hours at El’s Gallery are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.