Business Details
Your Premier Art Gallery in Rochester, MN
Southeastern Minnesota Visual Artists (Semva Art Gallery) is a nonprofit artist cooperative dedicated to showcasing and supporting the creative talents of Southeastern Minnesota. Established to foster a vibrant arts community, we provide a platform for local artists to display and sell their work while connecting collectors with unique fine art pieces. Our gallery in downtown Rochester features diverse mediums including paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and woodwork. As a cooperative, Semva Art Gallery thrives on the active participation of juried artists who contribute their expertise and passion. We offer membership opportunities for patrons to engage with our mission through events and meetings. Located in the Kahler Grand Hotel, our space includes a 1,200-square-foot storefront and mezzanine level display area.Through juried exhibitions and community programs, we promote artistic excellence and regional cultural development. Our commitment to accessibility ensures artists from southeastern Minnesota counties can participate in our cooperative model. Semva Art Gallery handles sales transactions, collecting a 25% commission to support operations while artists retain 75% of proceeds. We maintain transparent processes for membership, jurying, and gallery operations to ensure fairness and quality. By bridging traditional art forms with contemporary practices, we cultivate an environment where creativity and craftsmanship flourish.
Services
Art exhibitions
Artist membership
Gallery rentals
Jury process
Art sales
Highlights and features
- We exclusively showcase juried Southeastern Minnesota artists
- Our cooperative model directly supports local creators
- We handle sales transactions and tax reporting for artists
- We offer professional development through mentorship programs
- Our gallery occupies prime downtown Rochester space in the Kahler Grand Hotel
Services
Art exhibitions
Our juried exhibitions feature rotating displays of paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and mixed media. Artists gain exposure through prime downtown Rochester placement while collectors discover unique regional works. The gallery's 1,200-square-foot space and mezzanine level provide versatile display options for 2D and 3D artworks.
Artist membership
Juried artists join our cooperative by securing display space and working gallery shifts. The membership includes sales support, tax reporting services, and professional development opportunities. Artists retain 75% of sales proceeds while Semva Art Gallery manages transaction logistics and credit card processing.
Gallery rentals
We offer display space rentals to accepted members based on jury evaluation. Rental terms include shift work requirements and maintenance responsibilities. The cooperative manages space allocation with waiting lists maintained when demand exceeds available capacity in our downtown Rochester location.
Jury process
Our rigorous jury evaluates applicants through portfolio reviews and physical artwork assessments. The process includes feedback opportunities and potential mentorship for developing artists. Accepted members gain access to gallery sales channels and cooperative benefits in this competitive regional artist network.
Art sales
We facilitate direct sales between artists and collectors with transparent 25% commission structure. The gallery handles payment processing, sales tax reporting, and transaction management. This service provides regional artists with professional sales channels while ensuring buyers receive quality regional artwork.
Questions
How can I become a patron member?
Visit our gallery, contact us by phone, or use our website to sign up for annual membership benefits.
What art forms do you feature?
We showcase paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, sculpture, and mixed media from regional artists.
Where is your gallery located?
Our main location is in the Kahler Grand Hotel lobby at 20 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
How do artists apply to exhibit?
Submit an online application with portfolio samples, then present physical works for jury evaluation.
What are gallery hours?
Monday 10-5, Tuesday-Friday 10-8, Saturday 10-5, closed Sundays.
How are sales handled?
We collect 25% commission on sales, handle payments, and report sales tax for artists.