Gallery 24: Artist-Led Gallery Engages with its Rochester Community

 

By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers

Have you explored Rochester’s Gallery 24?

A community of artists throughout southeast Minnesota makes this public community space possible. 

Gallery 24 is a non-profit collaborative space run by more than two dozen local artists from Rochester and the surrounding communities. Located at 120Elton Hills Dr. NW, the gallery is open six days a week. When you visit in store, the volunteers you meet are the same people who have created everything on display.

Building a Supportive Community Space

From paintings and photography, to pottery, woodwork, jewelry, and fiber arts, you really can find something for everyone. Sarah Hoppe, a current Gallery 24 board member, has been involved with Gallery 24 for several years, “I love being a part of this steady group that supports this community effort. We want to see it succeed and to be present as a resource for artists, students, art appreciators, and people who don’t yet see themselves as artists!”

Sarah highlighted the diverse group of artists who contribute their work and their time to making Gallery 24 a reality. “There’s room at the table for everyone,” reflects Sarah. “It always amazes me to see the unique perspective that each artist brings. We have more than one artist in several mediums and yet we have little overlap in the works and products available in the gallery. Everyone brings their own energy and perspective to the work on display.” 

Gallery 24 was created to support, sustain, and encourage local art, and continually finds ways to do this. Check out their monthly themed exhibitions, open to everyone. For artists who want to explore opportunities at Gallery 24 before becoming a member, there is an option to be a guest artist with Gallery 24 for two weeks. “It’s important for guest artists to be able to test out the space,” shares Sarah. “As a community-based organization, offering these test periods gives everyone a chance to get to know each other.” 

 

All Are Welcome

If you have kids who love art, look into their summer art camps, or book a field trip to the gallery! There are plenty of adult classes to choose from as well.

Want an art-focused Halloween party? Gallery 24 has one. Their entire mission is to make art accessible and engaging for everyone. This welcoming group of committed volunteers seek to tease out everyone’s inner artist–whether that means trying out an on site workshop or tapping into a neglected or underdeveloped passion to create. The summer camps are staffed by skilled artists with experience working with kids. Many of the gallery members also work in area schools and see the youth workshops and camps as a way to enrich a whole person outlook for the young people in the community.                  

Sarah notes the joy both for the artist owners and the community members in simply hanging out in the Gallery 24 space. “We have some wonderful regular visitors who like to pop in just to see what’s new,” says Sarah. “There’s a local gentleman who stops by every time he needs a card for a birthday or other family event. It’s such a gift to be able to build relationships over a shared appreciation of locally-made work. We’re so grateful for the community’s support.”     

Explore the Gallery

Local artists can take part in Gallery 24’s annual vendor events. They have plenty of space at their outdoor art markets in the spring and fall. Enjoy an intimate venue at Holidays with HeART, held inside the gallery. These events provide access to unique, handmade pieces that shoppers won’t find anywhere else. To keep the whole family engaged, a free make and take activity is always on site for younger members of the audience.

 

Find Gallery 24 work in other locations around Rochester. Their monthly themed exhibitions are shown at 125 Live. Gallery 24 members have also taken part in outdoor markets including The Village Co-op, The Byron Art Fair and Rochester Fest. In addition, they provided free art activities for all ages at Rochester Fest. Gallery 24 will have a booth at Rochester Pride this summer; be sure to stop and say hello.           

 

Throughout the year you will find themed exhibitions in the gallery store. March of 2026 brings a special group of guest artists — Student Art! Enjoy art from area students of all ages. Throughout this show you can buy a piece of art that helps someone in the community who’s battling cancer. Gallery 24 is teaming up with a local family to give back to foundations that helped them through cancer treatment. Some students are donating their proceeds of sold art to these foundations.      

 

Get In Touch

Visit the Gallery 24 website for a full calendar of events. Meet their current artists and learn about their artist membership program. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest ongoings in the gallery.