We had the good fortune of connecting with Gary Kalpakoff And Cyrus Mejía and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gary Kalpakoff And Cyrus Mejía, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

For years, Gary Kalpakoff had always had a notion to own a gallery after being in a couple of galleries. At the time though, it was too early for Kanab and a successful gallery. Gary Kalpakoff has known his business partner, Cyrus Mejía, for years and it turns out the two had the same notion! The two were brought together by a mutual friend, the late Cathie McCormick. Raven’s Heart Gallery then started from a casual conversation. In 2015, friends and fellow artists Gary Kalpakoff and Cyrus Mejía were talking about their town of Kanab, how it was starting to grow, and what they’d like to see happening there.  It didn’t take long before they settled on the idea that Kanab needed an art gallery! Yes, an art gallery, not only a place where Gary and Cyrus could show their work, but where they could invite all of their artist friends to show their works as well. 

When they decided to form a partnership and make it happen the first order of business was to find a suitable building. They found just the perfect place at 57 W. Center St. The previous owners loved the idea of a gallery so much they went out of their way to make it possible. Raven’s Heart Gallery was the fulfillment of a dream for both of them. Gary and Cyrus would have a place to show Gary’s photographs and Cyrus’s paintings, but even more than that, they could bring something exciting and fun and beautiful to the community.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

When Gary and Cyrus started the gallery, they were determined to do the best job they possibly could and create a gallery as nice as those in Park City, Scottsdale, or Santa Fe! Raven’s Heart Gallery now represents artists from all over the Southwest, particularly the Four Corners region. Raven’s Heart Gallery shows paintings, sculptures, photographs, ceramics and jewelry from established as well as emerging artists. The gallery has around 25 artists and Gary and Cyrus really like meeting them and visiting their studios. They state, “It is amazing the creations we get from the artists!” The gallery sells artistic and quality artworks. The tourists are a big part of their sales, but so are the locals. The gallery has become an exciting hub for artists and art lovers in the town of Kanab, Utah. With First Friday events, workshops, artist’s talks and demonstrations and two major shows a year, Raven’s Heart Gallery is the “place to be” in Kanab!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

EAT: Coyote Sky Tacos, Peek-a-boo, Rockin V, Wild Thyme, Sego, The Village Cafe (up at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary), Sunny Creek Cafe. VISIT: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Raven’s Heart Gallery (of course! Especially for First Friday!), Willow Canyon Outdoor. EXPLORE: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and other hiking gems. The large National Parks, the off the beaten path unnamed spots and everything in between. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Along with being a Raven’s Heart Gallery co-owner and painter, Cyrus Mejía is also one of the co-founders of Best Friends Animal Society. Cyrus says, “A large part of the success of Raven’s Heart Gallery belongs to Best Friends Animal Society. Of course, as one of the co-founders of Best Friends I’m a bit biased. But as the largest employer in the county, and bringing 30,000 plus visitors to Kanab every year, Best Friends has a major impact on the economic well-being of our local businesses. Raven’s Heart Gallery’s mission statement is inspired by the life-saving work of Best Friends; “Art with heart, expressing kindness and compassion for all life”.”

The two gallery owners also gave a big shout-out and thank you to their gallery staff. Ellie Mae Clough came to the gallery during the difficult “pandemic times,”  it was about a year before they actually saw each other’s un-masked faces! Ellie is now a steady and confident presence in the gallery. Colleen Tomlin has worked with us for over five years and this year she stepped into the role of Gallery Manager. She has come up with amazing ideas and events. Raven’s Heart Gallery would not be where we are today without these two smart, elegant and talented women, who, by the way, are both artists themselves!

And did we mention? Raven’s Heart Gallery has two official “gallery dogs”! Ellie Mae comes to work with her dog Trudy, and Colleen never goes anywhere without Meeko! Every good gallery needs a gallery dog, and Raven’s Heart Gallery has two!

Website: https://ravensheartgallery.com/

Instagram: @ravensheartgallery

Facebook: Raven’s Heart Gallery

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.