The Coffeehouse features Alterra Coffee with a menu including brewed coffee, lattes, espresso, non-coffee beverages and bakery items.
The Gallery will focus on artwork from primarily Wisconsin artisans in a variety of mediums including photography, painting, glassware, pottery, woodcarving, and jewelry. Interested artists please send an email via the contact us page for a copy of the consignment agreement along with providing us some information on your work.
Emi Nicole Photography is a portrait studio specializing in photographing children, pets, high school seniors, families and weddings. Photo sessions are by appointment only, please visit www.eminicole.com for more information.
Ellen Waldmer is the owner of Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse along with her husband Eric. Owning a small business is a new venture for the Waldmer’s, but as many others in this economy, they were forced to make a decision about a career change due to Ellen’s department being eliminated which left her unemployed after a 34 year career in banking. While determining what her next step in life would be, Ellen tried to think of what would be the most enjoyable type of work she could do while utilizing her strong business managment skills. Ellen came up with the idea of an art gallery because both she and Eric enjoy the arts and their daughter (and two other family members) are photographers. Ellen loved the idea of being her own boss, using her project management skills to start up a new venture, being surrounded by art all day, and being able to interact with artists and customers every day that have that common interest.
Ellen’s love for the arts comes primarily from a music background but she has also enjoyed purchasing handmade art on the variety of trips they have made over the years. Eric enjoyed sketching during his highschool and college years and toured art museums in Europe during college. He has also been dabbling with wood carving over the last few years.
Why Jefferson Wisconsin? Ellen and Eric’s primary residence is in Franklin Wisconsin but about six years ago, they bought a condominium for weekend vacations (and potentially for retirement) in Jefferson on the Rock River. They had been following the development plans for Jefferson which include a downtown riverwalk and a focus on an artist’s community. So, when considering where to open the gallery, what better place than a community with those plans and where Ellen had built-in housing. Eric will be continuing with his position at the Milwaukee Metropolitain Sewerage District so they can keep food on the table but will help out on weekends whenever possible.
You will see many family members and friends when you come to the gallery. Ellen and Eric’s son Kyle can be found there in between his classes at UW-Whitewater where he is completing his degree in Business Science and his job at the local Wal-Mart. Their daughther Emi is owner of Emi Nicole Photography and is often assisted by her husband Justin. Emi’s portrait studio will be housed in the gallery. You can find more details about Emi and Justin on their website www.eminicole.com. Many other family members and friends will be helping out before the gallery opens and in the first few weeks to ensure a smooth opening and to help Ellen, Eric, Kyle, Emi and Justin find success in their lives with this new venture.
