Mar 22, 2009

Group of artists steps in, remotely, to help Omro GalleryBy Patricia WolffTheNorthwestern.com

Omro, Wisconsin – Some days Jill Hennes doesn’t even make it into her shop with the art pieces that have begun arriving by mail from artists around the country. She sells them before she can make it to Omro Gallery, a picture framing shop, art gallery and gift shop she and husband Pete run at 115 E. Main St., Omro.

“I like to open the packages at the coffee shop and sometimes I sell them even before I get a chance to bring them to my store,” she said.

Every few days the mailman brings her something new to add to her burgeoning display of jewelry, baby clothes, quilts, cards, paintings and other items.

“There’s no telling what they’ll send next,” Hennes said of the artists. “It’s like Christmas.”

“It just shows up,” her husband added.

Members of Inner Circle, a cyber community of artists and craftswomen who reach out to help one another and their respective communities, have begun sending their wares to Hennes. Her small shop is filling up and word is getting out.

Artists and crafters are from California, Texas, Louisiana, Idaho, New York and Ohio, as well as Wisconsin. The co-op has about 30 members, Hennes said.

Each month members of the Inner Circle participate in an activity that supports a school, a nonprofit, or an individual. Lately they’ve reached out to the Hennes.

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