Art and craft gallery has purrsonality

New shop in downtown Salem features fine art & functional craft

Purrsonality pours from Ernie & Gray. The new downtown gallery, which opened at the beginning of May, highlights a unique variety of work by Pacific Northwest artists with a focus on featuring Salem talent.

The shop is a creative endeavor launched by MiKayla Ryan and it’s one she has been thinking about weekly for 11 years.

Born and raised in Salem, MiKayla’s passion for fine arts and photography began while she was a student at Sprague High School. And it continued when she attended Pacific Northwest College of Art where she furthered her study of photography and developed an interest in community and art-based social practice.

Over the past five years, MiKayla has watched Salem evolve, with small businesses growing and creative resources expanding, but still a need for more opportunities where artists can show their work.

That’s what she aims to provide through Ernie & Gray. Her store on State Street features a combination of fine art and functional craft, from oil paintings and greeting cards to pottery planters and handmade jewelry.

MiKayla hopes to engage the community with original and affordable handmade goods.

“My goal is to curate engagement and art appreciation,” she said. “I want to create a space that is welcoming where anyone can come in and connect with the art pieces.”

She hopes to “foster a community that appreciates, values and supports visual arts while improving opportunities for local artists to show and sell their creative works.”

But don’t let the idea of appreciation and value intimidate you.

“It’s important for me that the community knows we are an accessible place,” MiKayla said.

Attesting to that, the art and craft at Ernie & Gray ranges in price, from less expensive, small items — the kind great for gifting — to larger, more investment pieces. MiKayla wants to reach multiple audiences and encourages people to check back often as stock will be changing on a regular basis.

And if you are an artist, MiKayla is happy to talk with anyone. In addition to looking for quality of craft, talent, skill and ability, MiKayla is going for a certain aesthetic. She recommends checking the website for the complete list of artists and see if what you create matches with the vibe and style of Ernie & Gray.