The Artdive Story
Artdive was born in the spirit of evolution: personal evolution for Christine Mullane, her work, and the evolution of art in Des Moines. After receiving her BFA from the University of Kansas in 1995 and her MFA from the Instituto Allende (San Miguel, Mexico) in 2000, Christine came back to Des Moines with a fresh approach to her work. She moved from large paintings of figurative realism to an explosion of diversity including landscape, portraiture, and abstract expressionism. She incorporated the emerging technology of Photoshop in her collage process while retaining her proficiency with color and her “pop art” leanings. This fusion created work in which the viewer is transported into exciting and alternative perspectives. Realizing that many artists were having trouble gaining access to the public, Christine opened a storefront in September 2001 to support her work and provide a space for the progressive and unconventional approaches emerging in the Des Moines art scene. In the spring of 2002, Artdive expanded and moved to Des Moines' prestigious gallery district, Historic Valley Junction.Needing a space that would double as a studio as well as an exhibit area, Artdive relocated in 2003 to downtown's Gateway West warehouse district. The space held quarterly exhibitions, group shows and installations when not serving as Christine's nerve center for the creation of her paintings and prints. After three years on the second floor of the warehouse, it was time for Artdive to evolve once again. In September of 2006, the need for more accessible retail space prompted Artdive to move just one block east to a beautiful street level showroom at 1417 Walnut Street. The light filled 1,600 square foot space contains Christine’s painting studio, print making lab, business office and retail gallery. The new storefront is an inviting environment with a wide selection of local and national artists, including paintings, prints, sculpture and jewelry. The gallery is open to the public Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am to 6pm or by appointment.
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