Photo gallery so successful it's expanding

ARCOLA – Every frame inside the Herschberger Galerie in Downtown Arcola has a story to tell.

Rectangles of rural landscapes, Amish scenes and sunsets line the walls of the recently converted gallery on Main Street in Arcola.

Richard Herschberger realized a life dream in September when he and his wife, Vicki, opened an art gallery to display his photography.

The Herschbergers began renting the space to display Richard's work during the annual Broom Corn Festival. The event was a success and the Herschbergers decided to try the space as a gallery through Christmas to see how business would develop.

"We saw that there was a lot of interest and we had a fairly decent sale, and so it went from a month to, ‘Let's go through Christmas and see how it turns out,'" Richard said.

The trial was a success. "The merchants and people of Arcola have really welcomed us and encouraged us," Vicki said.

They have big plans for the future that include moving next door to their current facility at 128 Main St. to 126 Main St., where they'll have three times the gallery space of the current building.

He currently displays work from one other artist besides his own, but he wants to provide space for many different artists and types of art, he said.

Arcola's Mayor Larry Ferguson said he is excited to see businesses like the Herschberger's coming to the community and attracting visitors to the area.

"Tourism is a big part of what keeps Arcola alive," Ferguson said. "I think it's something really unique that an art gallery would set up here in Arcola."

The gallery draws a cross-section of tourists with many stopping in from St. Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis, Richard said.

Tourists are especially interested in the photographs of Amish life, making them some of the most popular in his gallery.

Richard is familiar with the Amish community since he grew up in Arthur and spent time with his Amish grandparents and aunts and uncles as a child.

Now as an adult, he is continuing to learn about the Amish lifestyle through the lens of his camera.

"It's a heritage that I'm not ashamed of and a heritage that I care about," Richard said.

He not only has photos of Amish communities in Central Illinois, but also from communities in Indiana, Iowa and Ohio.

He has been practicing photography since 1980, and previously ran portrait studios in Arthur and Ohio.

He traded in the weddings and senior portraits, however, for more artistic photography which is what he sells in his gallery.

"I hope as long as I can live, and I can hold a camera, I hope I can have a place to share the photographs," he said.

His work ranges from $10 to $250, with most pieces still under $100.

"I want to sell them at prices so that a lot of people can enjoy them," Richard said."I enjoy sharing my pictures and what I get to see."

He welcomes visitors to look around without the intent of making a purchase.

"If people come and do nothing else but look, I get a charge out of that," he said.

The gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. To preview some of Richard's work, visit www.herschbergergalerie.net.