Southeastern Minnesota Visual Artists (SEMVA) is an artists’ cooperative. It began in the 1980’s as a supportive group for regional artists to network, better their craft, market their art, and support the arts community in southeastern Minnesota. SEMVA artists display at various SEMVA locations in Rochester and participate in events throughout the year. Many of our artists display at additional locations. Our members create paintings, photography, pottery, glass, jewelry, woodworking, sculpture, folk art, wearable art, collage, printmaking, drawing and more!
We currently have a gallery located just off the lobby of the Kahler Grand Hotel at 20 Second Ave. SW, Rochester, MN 55902. You will also find our members’ artwork on the walls throughout the Mezzanine level at Kahler.
Please understand that our galleries and our organization operate as cooperatives—all members are expected to volunteer to help with organizational tasks, and working in the gallery storefront is required of those displaying their art with SEMVA. No member or Board member is paid for working any task.
If you wish to display your art with SEMVA the information below explains the steps to apply, jury, and potentially sell your work at our events and gallery locations.
To show your work or to be added to the gallery waiting list, you must be a member of SEMVA, must live in one of the fifteen SE MN counties listed here, and have been successfully juried into the gallery. SE MN counties covered by SEMVA are Olmsted, Dodge, Steele, Wabasha, Goodhue, Houston, Blue Earth, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, LeSueur, Mower, Rice, Waseca or Winona.
Jury request is described below.
Our displaying member artists rent space, work in the gallery, and pay a modest percentage on sales. Base storefront staffing expectations are two approximately 4-hour shifts/month (~8 hrs./month) per artist. SEMVA retains a 25% commission on each sale to pay for gallery expenses.
You will be required to sign a SEMVA displaying artists’ contract if you are accepted into the gallery.
To request a Jury, fill out the Jury Form and follow the instructions given there. This can be returned electronically or via gallery visit. You will be given a jury date for your art.
There are many easy ways to create photo links to a folder of images of your art.
You also may bring your artwork for jury submission to the SEMVA storefront at 20 Second Street SW in Rochester. Please call ahead (507.281.4920) to ensure that someone will be there to receive you.
Jury Results: We will let you know within one week after the jury date if you are approved to display your art at a SEMVA gallery. Please note the jury process does not guarantee a place in any SEMVA display space, only that you can be put on the waiting list for an upcoming opening.
To get on the waiting list after successful jury, you must be a paid-up member of SEMVA as described above.
Membership in SEMVA is open to all artists and others interested in the visual arts. Membership entitles you to belong to a supportive arts community, attend Board meetings, receive Board minutes and event notices, and vote. If juried, and you live in Southeast Minnesota, you may participate in sales though the retail store, galleries, or popups.
To join, send a $25 check to SEMVA, PO BOX 1014, Rochester, MN 55903-1014. Please write “membership” in the memo line. You do not have to be a member of SEMVA to jury, but after jury, you must become a member to be on the waiting list for the Gallery.
Questions? Contact our organization at semvaart@gmail.com
Or Kay Tate at kayatate@gmail.com
Updated 11.2023