A decade of exhibits in Genesee

Ten years ago, Ellen Vieth was looking at retirement and debating what to do next. She had closed her floral arrangement and event planning business, Maiden America, a few years prior and was looking for a way to blend her love of painting with a way to support herself.

A few of her friends suggested she try opening a gallery, and the idea stuck. Vieth said she had first looked at renting a space in Moscow but then a friend recommended she try using her studio space — a pink house nestled in Genesee.

The Little Pink House Gallery was born.

Her friends helped Vieth create the art for the first show and a decade later she is planning to celebrate, with the exhibit TEN from from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20-21 at 157 N. Elm St., Genesee. The exhibit works from artists across the Pacific Northwest and the country.

“I wouldn’t be able to do this without the artists who contributed to those first few shows,” Vieth said.

TEN will feature work from: Aaron Johnson, a plein air painter who will have new gouache paintings of the Palouse; David Herbold, who will exhibit some of his reclaimed wood houses; Ray Esparsen a multimedia retablo artist; watercolor paintings by Mary Montgomery Lee; woodwork by Noah Schuerman and work by ceramicists Jill Birshbach and Ann Christiansen.

Veith said both Johnson and Herbold were both participants in the first show at the gallery.

The gallery was built in 1995as a shop for Vieth, and is easily recognized with its pink Vicorian stylings. The yard, Vieth said, historically has featured a well manicured garden but the recent weather had made the upkeep a bit harder.

Vieth said she focuses on bringing in contemporary artists in a variety of mediums and has worked with artists at Lewis-Clark State College, the University of Idaho and Washington State University. She organizes two exhibits a year on top of her painting.

“I (have) had a lot of support from a lot of different artists,” Vieth said.

She said the gallery is unique and sometimes can bring artists in through a message on Instagram. Vieth said it’s a matter of trust to get new artists to agree to come but it often pays off and they return for more shows.

“I’m full of gratitude for all the people who have helped keep the gallery open,” Vieth said.

Nelson can be reached at knelson@dnews.com.