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Arts & Entertainment

Marion Gallery Celebrates 20 Years

Campbell Steele offers original art work, music and more.

Craig Campbell likes to say he and his wife, Priscilla Steele, never set out to open a gallery.

“It was just a cheap building that we were going to live and have a studio in,” Campbell, 56, said.

However, it very quickly grew into so much more.

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The couple signed papers in late August 1991, and by November they had six artists exhibiting.

Today, 20 years later, Campbell Steele Gallery represents 40 artists. Though many are Iowa natives, they also have art from artists from around the world.

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The common factor is that everything is original from the jewelry to the paintings to the sculptures and clothing items.

As Campbell likes to say, “We only have ‘real’ art.”

Prices for art work begins at $5.

“We have work in all media and all price points,” said Steele, 60. “I tell people all the time there is a piece of art work that will fit into their life.”

To her, it’s a no brainer. Why buy a mass produced item for your home or office when you can have a one-of-a-kind piece?

“I love having beautiful things in my life that were made by another human being that I can identify with and that enriches my life,” Steele said. “It sounds corny, but it’s not.”

Bill and Lu Barron, of Cedar Rapids, agree wholeheartedly.

The couple has been purchasing art from the gallery since it opened.

“They have a lot of really interesting art,” said Lu Barron, 57, adding that she particularly appreciates the emphasis on Iowa artists.

“The fantastic display in the gallery is always changing.”

And while that’s enough to keep her and her husband coming back, they also appreciate Campbell and Steele’s excellent customer service.

They recently chose to downsize and move from an older home to a newer contemporary house. When they did, they selected their art from the gallery.

“Craig came over and actually hung a lot of the pieces,” Lu Barron said.

“They are such wonderful people, very sincere, very compassionate. They want to make sure you are happy with whatever you purchase.”

Her husband agreed, adding the gallery is a big asset to Marion.

Campbell Steele, which was among only a handful of businesses in Marion's uptown when it opened, is now a staple in this growing business district 20 years later.

In addition to visual art, the gallery also offers a number of music and other special events. Coming up is The Ron DeWitte Blues Polemic at 7 p.m., Nov. 4, with a $5 cover; The Beaker Brothers at 7 p.m., Nov. 11, with a $5 cover; and The Sachal Vasandani Quartet at 8 p.m., Nov. 18, with a $30 cover.

“Art for us has never just been visual art,” Campbell said. “It has always been music, poetry.”

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