Gallery owner Patti Opel and her husband, Tim Norris, are long-time West Michigan art educators and artists. Click on the “portfolio” and “artists” tabs to see examples of their artwork and background information on their art careers.

How the gallery got its name:

Cuchulain (kook UHL lin), the ancient Irish mythical warrior hero, was said to enter into a frenzied maniacal state in battle that would completely unnerve his opponents. His skin would begin to ripple under the surface, dramatically distorting his outward appearance from head to foot. One of his eyes would shrink into his skull while the other would grow and bulge out of its socket.

In an interesting cross-cultural coincidence, the ancient Mayan god Kukulkan (KOOK ulh kon) was the spirit of the winds and, significantly, of hurricanes. Thus, another layer of meaning can be attached to the eye.

Lastly, according to the dictionary, a kook is someone whose behavior is considered eccentric. Kook is thought to have derived from “cuckoo”- a bird with a real flair for eccentric or bizarre behavior.

In any case, the name and symbolism became an appropriate expression of the passionate intensity and dynamism of the visual art world. Come visit the gallery and discover a variety of artworks and art-related items as well as other unique products with a slant toward history, music, science, and education. We’re all about eyes and “Kooky” things!

Categories: Arts/Shopping