By April of 2007, membership had increased to eight artists and our first show was planned.  This show and all the shows in 2007 were held outdoors.  Each show generated more and more enthusiasm about this arts endeavor in the area.  The Guild Artists did a total of six shows through out the summer and fall.  All of them were in conjunction with area festivals. 

In late Summer, 2007, work was begun on the Guild’s permanent facility.  Conferring with the Mantorville City Council and the Mantorville Restoration Association, the Board of Directors of the Mantorville Art Guild found a site to serve as their campus.  Located within the historic district of Mantorville, a small renovated residence would become the gallery.  A second building was moved from Dodge Center, MN, and would serve  as a teaching facility and studio for member artists.

January 2008 brought a flurry of activity as Guild Members prepared for the opening of the studio which was to be a temporary gallery too.  February 1, 2008 was the day we began to feel as if we had set down roots.  We were visited by townspeople, the press, family and friends.  Class schedules were drawn up and community groups began asking to use our space for their meetings.

On March 3, 2008, we reached the end of a long paper trail and were granted non-profit status as a 501c3 organization.

After what seemed to be the longest, coldest, wettest Spring on record, we were able to begin readying the gallery building and on June 1, 2008,  as we turned on the lights and opened the front door for the first time, we knew that we were home.

So if “home is where your story begins,” the Mantorville Art Guild’s story begins here.  In the next chapters, we will be inviting guest artists and teachers to share their gifts with us, hosting children’s events,  providing for full accessibility to both buildings, and planning annual events for the entire region to enjoy. 

 Endless possibilities!