Abbe Creek Gallery
Located in historic uptown Mount Vernon, the Abbe Creek Gallery’s grand opening was held September 14, 2024, Around 20 artists were represented in the gallery’s initial offerings. Now, as the one-year anniversary approaches, the gallery features almost 50 local, regional and national artists who create a diverse variety of original artworks to include painting, photography, jewelry, prints, sculpture, glasswork, fiber art, books, journals, note cards, pottery, ceramics, assemblages, mobiles and mixed media.
The gallery dedicates a space to feature a specific artist or exhibit theme. The gallery’s front space is also used to host such gatherings as music concerts, book release/signing, art classes and other events.
Come visit our gallery. We welcome all people!
Our Mission
We believe that art has the power to transform lives, spark curiosity, and connect us to our community and the world. Nestled in the heart of idyllic Mount Vernon, Iowa—amidst the many independent businesses that line main street—our gallery serves as a vibrant sanctuary for artists, art enthusiasts, and curious souls alike.
Our mission is threefold:
Celebrate Creativity: We curate a diverse collection of visual art, including paintings, photography, sculpture and ceramics. Our walls breathe with the stories of local and regional artists, each piece providing a unique view on the world around us.
Foster Community: The gallery isn’t just a place to view art; it’s a gathering spot for kindred spirits. We host workshops, artist talks, and collaborative events that encourage dialogue, learning, and the forging of lasting connections. Whether you’re an artist or an art-lover, our doors are open to you.
Ignite Curiosity: We believe that art should provoke questions, challenge assumptions, and spark wonder. Our exhibits rotate regularly, inviting viewers to explore new perspectives, discover hidden talents, and engage in conversations that transcend the canvas.
The Artist-Owners
Robert Campagna
Bob is a photographer that primarily shoots with black and white film, focusing on landscapes, portraiture and Americana. Digital photography is also part of his journey.
He has created and taught over 600 photography workshops for all ages across the United States and internationally. Over 13,000 students have studied with Bob. For 25 years, beginning in 1983, he traversed Iowa as an itinerant teaching artist-in residence sponsored by the Iowa Arts Council. While living in Loveland, Colorado for 13 years he was a founding member of the Artworks Center for Contemporary Art. He also taught in northern Colorado through Think360 Arts, the state’s arts agency, and the Thompson School District.
Periodically, he lectures on Ansel Adams, explaining Adams’ work through Bob’s own personal excursions into Yosemite National Park, tracing Adams’ path from decades earlier in the park as well as the Western United States.
In his long-time hometown of Mt. Vernon, Iowa he was a co-founder of the Abbe Creek Gallery, the city’s Sculpture Trail, and the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council. He designs and publishes books, note cards, posters and other printed material. He also assists the design and publication of books for other people, having done over 40 books in the past decade.
Chris Childers
An artist raised in Minneapolis, Chris Childers retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2022 and moved to rural Iowa to begin a new art-centered life in Mount Vernon. In Iowa, Childers discovered limitless subject matter and a community of artists who embraced his style, subject matter and work ethic.
Childers has always been drawn to painting agrarian/rural scenes en plein air, an interest and passion that had been fostered early on by his parents, particularly his mother, Dorothy Childers, a professional photographer.
Childers’ education has included Studio Art at the University of Minnesota and landscape painting and portraiture at The Atellier in Minneapolis. He has studied with painters Cecile Hartleib, Wayne Howell, James Conaway, and Scott Lloyd Anderson, and considers these connections/mentorships to be the foundation of all of his ongoing work.
He paints primarily in oils and his work graces walls in homes of collectors and admirers across the United States. He has participated in numerous exhibits, including four solo shows and was featured in juried shows including the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts exhibit. In 2024 his work was accepted into the Iowa State Fair for the first time.
