Three Minutes, Three Questions

Donna Z Rife says she is "not an artist but rather someone who has always appreciated the arts." Although her degree is in theater arts, she started collecting visual arts in the 1980s and "found amazing pieces that I had to take home." Having filled the available space in her house -- "my husband, Tom, and I have a collection of around 125 pieces now" -- she opened Two25 Gallery in property owned by her brother David in Bentonville.

"I wasn't motivated to purchase because of price or knowledge of a particular artist," she says of her collection. "It was all about how the art made me feel."

Now she hopes to share that passion with the public. Here, she answers three questions for What's Up! readers.

Q. What are the challenges of operating a gallery? And the rewards?

A. A gallery is challenging for several reasons. You have to have a large volume of people walk in the door because not everyone who enjoys looking at art is going to buy. A lot of people are afraid to come in because they think they are not art savvy and don't want to look foolish. It is my challenge to make everyone feel comfortable, free to ask questions and to find a piece that speaks to them in one way or another. With this the rewards become obvious: helping people find just the right art for their home. If they are like me, they can tell a story about each piece hanging in their home. I think that is wonderful.

Q. How is the Bentonville art scene changing?

A. Ever since Crystal Bridges was announced, art has become a buzz word in Bentonville. I remember when I opened the local paper in May of 2005. There on the front page was the painting "Kindred Spirits" by Asher Brown Durand, and Alice Walton had paid $35 million for the painting. My heart did flip-flops because I knew how important this was. In 1998 I wanted to open a local gallery, but my friends said it would never fly because people don't buy local art. Well, fast forward 16 years, and I believe people are be seeking out local art and regional art. There are so many talented artists in our area, and I believe many of them are here because they believe the art scene is going to burst forth.

Q. Where do you hope to see your gallery -- and that art scene -- in 10 years?

A. Looking 10 years down the road, l can only imagine the local art scene. I see a grouping of art galleries all over downtown Bentonville and beyond. A place that is a destination for art collectors. A festive atmosphere where people gather to share art, talk art and create public art as a community. A place where adults and children both have a connection with how art can effect you and change you to some degree. And of course, I see Two25 Gallery as the "mother" gallery that started it all!

-- Becca Martin-Brown

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