Jo Kladzyk ‘Evolves‘ her artistic success, opens new gallery on Main Street
Jo Kladzyk and the inside of Evolve, a new artistic gallery located at 154 E Main. Photo courtesy of Jo Kladzyk.
by Marsha Chartrand
Jo Kladzyk has been part of Manchester since 1985, when she and her husband, Tom, briefly moved to the area before relocating to Texas and then California. In 1988, they returned here and, she says, they’ve “been rooted ever since.”
“In 2004, we purchased a vacation home in Grand Marais, Michigan, where I later opened a seasonal gallery, Art in Abundance, in 2011. For 13 years, I poured my heart into that space — curating a beautiful, welcoming environment from late spring through early fall that quickly became a destination for visitors and art lovers alike.”
When Tom became ill in 2018, she stepped away from the gallery to care for him. Thankfully, friends and members of the Grand Marais community helped keep it going. One of the artists she represented, Sue Zachow, along with her husband, Jim, helped carry the gallery forward for nearly four years. Their friendship was true, faithful, and unwavering — and for that, Kladzyk is deeply grateful.
“After Tom passed,” she explained, “I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d need to close the door on my sweet little gallery. Even with Sue and Jim’s incredible help, it had become too much to manage from afar. I officially closed the gallery in October 2023 and sold the building the following summer.”
This new chapter found her in the most serendipitous way — right place, right time, and the right person — Kathy of the Sassy Peacock, who kept nudging her toward a decision to open a new small gallery and shop at 154 E Main — just along the river next to the Main Street Bridge. The shop features an eclectic selection of artwork of all sorts, but also features many of Jo’s own tiles left from the Grand Marais gallery and is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon until 5pm.
Creativity is Jo’s refuge — a quiet space where healing begins and ideas unfold. “And so, here I am, finding comfort and renewal through art once again,” she says. “Evolve is my new creative space on the banks of the River Raisin, just around the bend from my home here in Manchester. It’s a place for unique artwork, gathered goods, cultivated plants, connection, inspiration, and a bit of peace of mind — a space where past and present come together. I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces and making new connections as this next chapter unfolds.”
Jo would like to thank Kathy for the inspiration, and offer a heartfelt shout-out to dear friends Sue and Char “for their resolute encouragement and for standing by me through the most difficult time in my life.” And to her daughters, Tristan and Ellee — “Your love and support gave me the strength to step into this next adventure.”
A peek inside “Evolve,” a new artistic gallery on Main Street. Photo by Marsha Chartrand.
The bright and cheery atmosphere of Evolve enhances the feel of creativity inside. Photo by Marsha Chartrand.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login