Though the South Loop is an area basking in architectural and art school glory, commercial art gallery owners have yet to plant themselves here...except for Sharon Wiess, who took the plunge in 2005.

Shortly after earning a master's degree in art history from Indiana University, Wiess moved in and opened up this shop for what she calls "accessible art." Without the pretension of most galleries, Wiess hangs paintings and sets up sculptures liberally so that you see more artwork than white wall.

Her aesthetic choices hinge around the earthy: folksy ceramic works are shown alongside totemic sculptures and paintings built up from layers of urishi lacquer (a far East Asian material). The art work, ranging from $300 to $10,000 and by emerging and established artists, has something for everyone. A corner of the gallery displays one-of-a-kind purses, jewelry and pottery made by gallery artists; these affordable items round out the more costly fine art works nicely.

A truly international gallery, the space represents artists from Africa, Vietnam and China, as well as Texas, California and the Midwestern states. Located in the heart of the Columbia College campus, Wiessman Gallery has found an appropriately artful locale, among several student galleries, and not a far walk from the Art Institute of Chicago.

Centerstage Reviewer: Joanne Hinkel