written by Meg Hollister
There’s a new gallery opening in town!
Zola, The Midwest’s only Eco-Arts Gallery, will be opening up within The Shoppes on Second business incubator space, located on the corner of 17th street and 2nd avenue in Rock Island.
Owned and operated by artists and community advocates Glorie Iaccarino and Meghan Hollister, and endorsed by the Quad Cities Eco Arts Council, Zola will be the first of it’s kind within the gallery setting and art scene of the Quad Cities. Zola will be open to the public on February 1st, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting to be announced.
See below to read more about this new and innovative gallery, as well as get a sneak peek of what’s inside!
A bit about Zola:
Zola operates on a strong philosophical foundation. Zola boldly re-invisions the by-products of modern society while encouraging consumers and institutions to be ecological citizens. Zola supports Environmental Art that includes, but is not limited to the concepts that we’re all familiar with, but need to be more mindful of: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Revamp, Reclaim, Refurbish, Repurpose, and Upcycle.
Zola works with artists, collectors, educators, and our community at large to provide community building through public art exhibitions, educational opportunities, and promotion while fostering artistic and cultural experiences within the community. Zola will compliment existing creative endeavors within The District of Rock Island, such as the Gallery HOP! and other public events, such as art walks and public festivals.
Zola supports and promotes “Creativity and Placemaking” which involces cultural facilities designed to leverage the benefits of collaboration and co-location. This includes multi-use hubs that integrates arts, culture, heritage, and library facilities to share resources and operation costs, and to develop strategic partnerships, cultural and creative incubators that, in various ways, offer a platform of support for creators and enable connection, production, and networking among creators with the public, multi-center convergence centers designed to maximize socialization, networking, and random collisions, thus becoming a major connecting hub and economic engine within our community. We feel that with The Shoppes on 2nd is a perfect location that resonates with these qualities.
The presentation of ecological artwork, artist workshops, and local handmade goods within an original gallery setting provides a highly unique, creative, and cultural experience to a diverse audience- from the casual gallery visitor, to a curious child and parent, to the professional artist, the art student, as well as the potential art investor. Our goal is to create a culture center for all, rather than a culture center for few.
We sell to clients seeking an investment in Fine Art while maintaining the highest environmental standards. Clients come to us for the design experience of Zola’s professionals whether it be in the form of a physical art object for their home or business, art instruction, interior design, exterior design, educational opportunities, creative community events, creative consultation, and access to original artwork and handmade products.
Zola is the Quad Cities’ only industry-standard ecological art gallery, and we will continue to grow in momentum of the green movement as consumers are thinking twice about what they buy. Clients that are seeking creative, collaborative, and sustainable service have a need that can be fulfilled with the design and ecological expertise and experience of the staff of Zola. We, at Zola believe that art is a universal language and, like nature, is a universal bond. Art can change the world as we positively influence one customer at a time with ecological art and eco-friendly lifestyles.
Gallery Super Sneek Peek Photos:
