MANSFIELD – Ivan Pellot can paint, act, and create artwork on his own, but what he’s most passionate about is promoting other people’s art.
The owner of the Green Room Gallery even spent his birthday, Friday, Feb. 9, celebrating local artists with a one-year anniversary ribbon cutting event for the gallery at 14 S. Park St. in downtown Mansfield.
“I was wanting to create a space where I can promote art and talent because I know there’s a lot of talent in this town, but it’s (artwork) kept in their bedrooms and basements,” Pellot said.
The Green Room Gallery opened just over a year ago next to the Urban Barn antique furniture store as a place to showcase local talent. After searching for a long while, Pellot came across the downtown storefront.
“I found this place, and it seemed like the perfect place to start it,” he recalled.
Since then, the Green Room Gallery has grown to include the work of about 15 area artists, who’s artwork is displayed in monthly shows like “Anthology of Twisted Hearts” by Mansfield Middle School teacher and artist Heather Marks. This display debuted Friday evening in honor of American Heart month.
“Ivan and I were talking about how it is heart month and how I do a lot of hearts in my artwork,” Marks said. “I am far more interested in the anatomical heart than the valentine’s day one.”
She met Pellot about two years ago and began bringing her art to the Green Room Gallery.
“It’s a wonderful community space,” Marks said.
In the next year, Pellot looks forward to holding several sip & paint classes and an outdoor gallery in the summer. He also expressed intentions to create a website that will further show off Richland County’s talent.
Mayor Tim Theaker said with places like the Green Room Gallery, people “have got to come downtown to shop.” He added that crime in Mansfield has decreased by seven percent in the past year.
Richland Area Chamber of Commerce president Jodie Perry praised Pellot for what he’s brought to the city.
“I love that you’re bringing all this local art and talent and gathering it and getting people an opportunity to see all these amazing artists we have in our community,” she said.
Richland County commissioner Marilyn John also voiced her appreciation.
“It never ceases to amaze me the talent we have in Richland County, so thank you for offering a space where that talent can be displayed,” John said. “Art is such an important part of the community, so it’s really important to have a space for our local artists to do this.”
