Interview with Marilyn Affolter,
owner of Marilyn Affolter Fine Art Gallery
owner of Marilyn Affolter Fine Art Gallery
Originally published August 2019
Tell us a bit about your business:
What does your business offer, and how long have you been around?
It was over 5 years ago that I opened the doors to the gallery with the desire to provide a resource for local artists to sell their work here, in their own community. Quickly the gallery has become a purveyor of fine art and the artists. We have all mediums represented: oils, pastels, watercolor, acrylic, assemblage, fine art photography, clay, jewelry, fiber art and our newest acquisition pieces done in the ancient art of egg tempera. We are located just off third on Evans Street. Upon visiting people find an intimate space, the perfect blending of a working studio and a fine art gallery and museum quality gift shop.

How did you decide to get involved in this line of work? How did the business get started?
The business started from a text message of a good friend saying “check out this great space”. I had no intention of opening a gallery, but it seemed a natural result of many talks that artist friends and I had been having of the need for a fine art gallery in McMinnville, showing that we can sale fine art in here in our own community. It has now become an outlet for over 30 truly fine artists as well as a place to work on my own art.
Tell us a couple things you are proud of about your business.
What are you known for? What separates you from the competition?
The Quality of work from the artists represented! It is phenomenal and many customers have expressed this. Some of our artists are nationally and internationally known, yet the space is intimate and welcoming, inviting people to stay and look at high quality art and talk art. Each show is beautiful, changing every month!

What is your favorite part of running this business?
I have personally found that the most rewarding thing has been working with the artists and helping them earn a living in their chosen artistic career. A great plus has been developing good friendships with them all.
Who is your ideal customer/client? Who do you serve best?
Those that love art! And we all do. We try to break down the barriers that art is “only for the well-to-do” and that a fine art gallery does not have to be intimidating. We make purchasing an original piece of artwork accessible and enjoyable.

Are there any special promotions, annual sales, or special events that you’d like to mention?
The gallery is changing shows every month, and is always bringing in new work or a new artist. Often we offer community activities like hands on art projects, art seminars, free concerts, poetry readings and the most recent addition of the annual I Phone Photography contest held in January. The best way to follow what is happening is join our email family at www.marilynaffolter.com.
Is there any other information you’d like your potential customers/clients to know about your business?
I believe in the power of beauty and that it can make our lives better. The original works represented in the gallery do just that. All artwork is available for purchase. We ship worldwide. For further inquiries please contact me at 503.835.1610 or Marilyn@marilynaffolter.com Most of all enjoy!
How do you see your business growing and improving over the next couple of years?
We are in constant growth in making art work accessible to the community is various ways. The gallery is always in transition as the online gallery.
For more information about Marilyn Affolter Fine Art Gallery, visit their website at www.marilynaffolter.com or follow on FB at Marilyn Affolter Fine Art Studio