Kim Holland, previous owner of Lotus, had a vision to create a store with a different purpose than just retail by featuring products and art from local vendors and artists.

Gallery 421, an art gallery, art studio and gift shop opened in downtown Ellensburg this July.

“By featuring local artists and vendors, I can bring some of the same stuff to market that Lotus did but expand even farther,” Holland said. “I can tie in what I love to do, which is art.”

Holland is an artist with a degree from Central in graphic design.

The front of the store features art from local vendors, while the back is Holland’s art studio and gallery which features art from two regional artists at a time.

Holland’s vision is to create a space made mostly of recycled and repurposed items.

“Part of the shop that I’m really proud of is 95 percent of the fixtures are from Habitat for Humanity,” Holland said. “I’m really into the recycled and repurposed items and local vendors, doing things with more purpose.”

Gallery 421 sells work from local vendors including Farmer’s Daughter, Picket Oak and Purity Soapworks.

Each month Holland selects two regional artists to showcase their artwork in the gallery. Gallery 421 then participates in “The Ellensburg First Friday Art Walk” with an opening exhibit   to showcase the artists’ work.

The two artists featured in the gallery for November are Josh Humphrey and Billy Mac.

Humphrey is a Central alumni with a degree in music. He has been building guitars in Eugene, Ore. since 2006, and just moved back to Ellensburg this summer.

Humphrey custom builds guitars sold all over the country.

“This gallery was a great opportunity to showcase some of my work and connect with people,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey, who uses recycled materials for many of his instruments, said that the mission behind Gallery 421 coincides with his own.

“I use a lot of reclaimed lumber and urban lumber for my instruments, so my philosophy aligns with Kim’s philosophy for the store, which is really cool,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey and Holland, who have known each other since they went to school together, reconnected when Humphrey moved back to Ellensburg.

“The day I moved back here, I ran into [Holland] and she asked if I would be interested in hanging my art up in the gallery,” Humphrey said. “It was the perfect opportunity to get my foot in the door.”

The other featured artist, Billy Mac, is also a Central alumni.

Mac graduated from Central in the 1970s with a fine arts degree and has lived in Ellensburg since.

In Mac’s free time he plays in a local acoustic band called “Better Day”.

Mac creates collages of recycled materials and turns them into unique art pieces.

“I don’t make art for the profit of it,” Mac said. “My art pieces are a labor of love for me, art is my passion.”

Holland, Humphrey and Mac all share the philosophy of creating art with a purpose. Mac and Humphrey are enthusiastic about the opening of Gallery 421.

Humphrey and Mac’s artwork can be viewed in the gallery throughout the month of November.

“It is a great opportunity for college students to integrate with the townsfolk,” Mac said. “First Friday’s are great events. I’m really happy to have my artwork in the gallery.”