Gallery History

..Gallery History..

The Beginning of Artspring

I'm Peggy Medina, the owner of Artspring. After completing my Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts at Kansas Wesleyan University in May 2005, I pondered the next step. My husband and I own the old brick building at 500 E. Iron. The vacant west side seemed to be calling me. So the transformation began to create Artspring, an art gallery and gift store. The vision was of a water-based theme to celebrate all things flowing; inspiration, creativity and spirit. Artspring opened in September 2006. Katy England, a local painter was the first artist to come on board, as she was an inspiration for the gallery. Others were soon to follow and the gallery was off and running. Artspring offered its first invitational show, "Amazing Women" in February 2007. Over 25 women artists exhibited their work and inspired other successful exhibits.

Artspring features one to two month themed exhibits in which the openings usually coincide with First Thursday Art Rush.

Besides solving all kinds of logistical and maintenance problems, my husband, Bill does all the cooking for functions here at Artspring. He's definitely a culinary artist. Lori Wright, a recent K-State MFA graduate, joined me as a part time employee. Lori, a.k.a. the Graphic Design Goddess, brings a sense of fun along with her artistic experience to the gallery. You can see Lori's innovative artwork here at Artspring and also on her website listed here under "Fine Art".

This September, we celebrate our one year anniversary. Thank you to the many who have participated in our journey and offered encouragement and support along the way.

The History of the building at 500 E. Iron

At this time, we don’t know when the actual brick building was built.

1898- The Salina Directory listed 500 E. Iron as the home of the T.M. Ludes Grocery Store. (It was probably not the brick building that is here now.)
1907- It was called the East Side Grocery and it was still owned by the Ludes family. The upstairs was rented out to family or various renters.
1941- 500 E. Iron- The Grocery store was just on the west side
- 502- Became Jim’s Ice Cream
1952- 500- East Side Grocery store closed, became A to Z Cleaners
- 502-The Ludes family opened the B.J. Liquor store
1971- 500- The House of Beauty
- 502-B.J. Liquor Store
1987-500- The Curling Iron
- 502- B.J. Liquor Store
1991-500- The Corner Store
- 502- B.J. Liquor Store
1992-500 E. Iron is vacant
1997-The Liquor store closed. After 97 years, the Ludes family no longer owns the building.

Bill and Peggy Medina bought the building in 2002. 500 E. Iron and the apartments upstairs had been vacant for 15 years. After extensive renovation, it was transformed into 2 downstairs office spaces and an upstairs living area.


1911 Flood	2002

Recent Renovations

Recently the building that houses Artspring has undergone a large brick restoration project. Missing bricks and crumbling limestone window sills were replaced along with tuck-pointing of the brick. The red paint was stripped from the front and the billboard spot from the west side. Artspring boasts a new turquoise front on the west and Prairie Lotus Yoga salutes the sun with its new orange exterior.