A steep staircase leads to a balcony, which serves as the gallery office. Odd curves and angles abound, and the site sports two glass display windows. In early July, a bug-shaped metal sculpture by artist Annie Buckley stood sentry behind one of them. The venue is open from noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Every other Wednesday, a New Music concert takes place from 8-10 p.m. Thursdays are poetry nights.
Jaspers runs the place alone.
When she had to take some time off, her mom flew into town to keep the gallery open. When Jaspers wasn't selling enough art to survive in the old venue, she took a substitute teaching gig and opened the gallery after school. At least Jaspers is amply prepared for the hard work. Her long union hours and the accompanying stresses make her current career seem like a cakewalk, she says. Thanks to her work as an organizer, she has a 1,500-person mailing list.