New online gallery makes the work of one local artist accessible to everyone
by Marie Nitke

Ever tour a local art gallery in your underwear? Now you can.

That's the idea behind Jay Davenport's new online gallery, at www.davenportartstudio.com. The Web site makes it possible for anyone with a computer to see the local artist's work from the comfort of their own homes, wearing as much - or as little - as they wish.

Davenport, who owns his own studio gallery in a remote area of Great Scott Township, between Buhl and Mountain Iron, had the Web site developed because he wanted to make his work accessible to more people.

"I live in a rural area within a rural area," he explained, "and then I live further away from there on a gravel road, so there really isn't any foot traffic. I felt that if I had an online gallery, then people all over the state, or anywhere, could look and see what kind of art is there, and then perhaps be motivated or inspired to say, `You know, it might be fun to take a trip out to that gallery:"

Currently on exhibit are paintings from Davenport's latest body of work, "Born in America." "Born" features watercolors of American Indians, which Davenport based on archival photographs by such legendary photographers as Edward S. Curtis, Carl Moon and George W. Scott for historical accuracy.

Davenport is hoping to have his new exhibit up by November. He said this next body of work won't be as "focused" as "Born," but will feature a variety of paintings, including landscapes of northern Minnesota.

Since developing the Web site with Byers Communications out of Hibbing at the end of June, the site has already had more than 200 online visitors from all over the country. Davenport said many have been from northern Minnesota, but some have checked out his site from as far away as California, Washington, and New York City.

"It's not exactly like meeting the people in person," he said of his online guests, "but there are two aspects of art - one is the joy and pleasure of creating art, and the other is the pleasure of sharing that. So even people who are not looking at the art in person, I hope that I've touched them."

Davenport always welcomes guests to his studio gallery, but calling ahead (218-258-3664) to ensure a personal visit is recommended. The gallery is located at 4815 Honkanen Rd, Mt Iron, MN.