Walk in to JR Finally Studio & Art Gallery at 210 W. Main St. in Rockton and take in a kaleidoscope of colorful paintings, pottery, wall décor and handmade objects created by talented area artists, as well as by the owner herself: Jill Rae Martin-Golden.
Jill Golden greets every customer with a friendly smile. JR Finally is a happy, sunny place to browse or take a class or workshop or just have a chat. The gallery is currently featuring art pieces by 25 artists from the Rockton/Roscoe area.
Golden grew up in LaGrange, IL., and continued her education at the University of Illinois with a bachelor of science degree in Psychology. However, her love of painting never faltered.
After marrying her husband Mark and raising three children, the family moved to Rockton in 1998, where she honed her artistic skills. "I was still working at the time," she says, but eventually she made the leap and quit her job.
The couple worked hard rebuilding the old building on W. Main Street. The studio opened for business about four years ago. The 176-year-old building is the oldest structure in downtown Rockton.
Her dream of owning her own studio and having the freedom to make art had finally come true. Hence the name of her business: JR “Finally” Art (I’m finally here! I’m not going anywhere.)
With the holidays not far off, Autumn is the October theme at JR Finally. Classes for children and adults featuring pumpkins and everything Halloween are in the spotlight, such as Golden's Pumpkin Painting class for ages 6-12.
Golden and other local artists are offering several art classes at the gallery this fall. Registration for child and adult classes can be made online right now. Options include Mixed Media Mondays (ages 7-14), Learn to Crochet Series (ages 14 up), Monday Morning Drawing, Art Club (ages 7-14), That Old Barn (ages 16 up), and Dog Portrait with Jean Apgar, with new lineups of classes for November and December. You can even take private lessons from some of the artists, including watercolor with Jean Apgar, crochet with Samantha Golden, and painting with Jill Golden.
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Ever optimistic, Golden is looking to a positive future. “Last year was a challenge. Now everyone is beginning to re-invent themselves and learning how to move forward.”
The collection of arts and crafts in the studio keeps changing. “We are always looking for new artists,” Golden said. Exhibitor applications can be submitted online by emailing goldrays910@gmail.com.
JR Finally Studio and Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Contributing artists include:
Sunny, with a high of 58 and low of 33 degrees. Sunny in the morning, clear during the afternoon and evening, cloudy overnight.
