When Tina and Howie Rumjahn moved to Evansville from Los Angeles in 2010, they were impressed with the local art scene. The only thing missing in their perspective was a true art gallery.
The couple moved to the area to be closer to Tina’s family in southern Illinois and opened The Rumjahn Gallery and Framery in 2016 at 310 Main St., which houses a small retail space, offers professional custom framing and printing services, and showcases local artwork in a gallery setting.
“There’s a vast talent pool in this area, and we have been able to select the best artists to represent,” says Tina. “I want to offer something for everyone’s taste. If it’s good art, I’m not concerned about pigeonholing our gallery into a particular style. You’ll find mostly contemporary art alongside more traditional oil landscapes and florals.”
Some clients come into the gallery looking for a particular artist, while others want to fill a specific space in their home, says Tina. Other customers come to the gallery just to have artwork, mementos, or sentimental items framed. In the framery, they work with a variety of items like sports jerseys, dried wedding bouquets, vacation souvenirs, pillowcases, and flags.
“One of my favorite things is when a client brings in a project they’re really excited about,” says Tina. “It’s contagious. These are the people, when they pick up their item, they’re so excited and can’t wait to get it home.”
The excitement for the gallery work also spreads out into enthusiasm for bettering the community, specifically Evansville’s growing Downtown. A welcomed part of being small business owners in the area for the Rumjahns was the collaboration and support of the Downtown business community.
“It’s been exciting,” says Tina. “I think it’s a very dynamic situation that everyone is looking to have the very best Downtown we can possibly have, and we’re all working together.”
Gallery Gems
therumjahngallery.com
