We both grew up in California, but have strong roots in the Midwest. Jim was
born in western Illinois, where his ancestors settled after immigrating from Sweden. His family moved west when he was
young, but Jim spent childhood summers here and always hoped to return to live someday. Marti's ancestors also immigrated
to the U.S. from Scandinavia, and many family vacations were spent in the Midwest visiting grandparents, aunts, uncles and
cousins.
Jim had a career as a PGA Golf Professional for 20 years, most recently as a Teaching Professional at Evanston Golf Club in
Skokie, IL. Marti worked in the hospitality and service industry for many years as a corporate and group travel planner,
but when the opportunity arose to move to the family farm in the country, we jumped at it!
As we began refreshing our
'new-old' home, Jim learned the art of matting and framing because we kept finding neat old family documents and photos
we wanted to preserve and display. We also had fun choosing favorite prints to decorate with ~ including works of beloved
Swedish artist Carl Larsson and the primitive-style art of Bishop Hill colonist and painter Olof Krans. Then family
and friends started bringing things for Jim to frame ...
When we decided to establish a retail shop, we naturally thought of Bishop Hill as
an ideal location from which to offer Custom Framing services to help others preserve, protect and enjoy their treasured pieces
of art and family history. The Bishop Hill Gallery also offers beautifully framed and matted prints of Swedish and American
art along with select home decor items.
In 2008, we purchased the three-story Bishop Hill Colony Administration Building
because of the beautiful space for a Custom Framing shop and gallery on the first level, and also for the potential to share
the rest of this grand old building with overnight guest rooms upstairs. After opening The Bishop Hill Gallery,
we started work on the second floor, and in July, 2010, opened The Gallery Inn. We invite you
to come enjoy it with us!
