Elysian Gallery & Café

10/18/2026

Pura vida! 🌅

Janel and I are spending some time in Costa Rica with my daughter Anna and her boyfriend Sid, and this morning gave us one of those moments that makes you stop whatever you're doing and simply take it all in.

The sun rising over the mountains. The clouds catching the golden light. The quiet beauty of a brand-new day.

Standing there, watching it all unfold, I found myself thinking about what we want Elysian to be.

A place where you can slow down. Where you can discover something unexpected. Where different perspectives come together, stories are shared, and art reminds us to see the world a little differently.

A place where you can simply be yourself, feel welcome, and leave with something you didn't have when you walked in.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful experiences aren't about what we do or what we accomplish. They're about what we feel, what we discover, and the moments we allow ourselves to truly experience.

That's the feeling we hope you'll find at Elysian. ❤️

What does a moment of peace look like for you?

10/16/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Alex Johnmeyer to Elysian Gallery.

Artist Statement and Bio

As a multidisciplinary artist, Alex Johnmeyer draws from painting, photography, and textural techniques to create work rooted in memory and lived experience. With more than 25 years of experience, he creates vibrant realism paintings that blend personal narratives with saturated color, pop culture references, and symbolism. Using his own photography as a foundation, he works across oil, watercolor, ink and acrylic, often incorporating materials such as paper clay, light modeling paste, and coarse pumice gel to create rich, sculptural surfaces. Shaped by his experiences as a transgender and q***r man, his work explores self-discovery and the universal longing to be seen… encouraging viewers to reflect on their own personal histories and truths.

Based in St. Louis, Alex has exhibited widely in both solo and group shows, with his work held in private collections as well as businesses, hospitals, and organizations. His artistic achievements have been widely recognized, earning him multiple awards such as the Award of Excellence in Artistry from St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler, Best Fine Artist in St. Louis Magazine’s 2021 Reader’s Choice A‑List, and ArtFusion Gallery’s June 2026 Artist of the Month recognition.

In addition to his studio practice, he has served on the boards of MySLArt and the Metro Trans Umbrella Group, and has been co‑director of the St. Louis Visual Artists’ Network since 2015. Alex has a sincere passion for volunteerism and support organizations; meshing art with an ongoing commitment to positive social change.

10/15/2026

Our 2nd of 3 new artists! Introducing Bruce Bayer!

Bruce Bayer’s journey into sculpture began on his very first day of kindergarten, when his teacher, Ms. Fitch, introduced him to a box of plasticine clay to ease his fears. That simple gesture sparked a lifelong connection to sculpting. Throughout grade school and high school, Bruce continued to explore art whenever he could, developing a deep appreciation for form, expression, and the emotional resonance of the human figure.

In eighth grade, he created his first bust, a piece he still owns and displays. In high school, another bust earned an honorable mention at an SIUE art show, marking one of his earliest public recognitions. Although life pulled him in other directions for many years, Bruce returned to clay in 1991 and has continued sculpting ever since, building a body of work rooted in introspection, emotional nuance, and personal meaning.

Now retired, Bruce often sculpts five days a week. For him, working with clay is both meditation and exploration a place where he can contemplate new approaches, solve material challenges, and reflect on life. He describes art as a way to liberate the spirit from daily constraints, a workshop of experimentation that brings him back to a sense of wholeness. Attention to contour, form, and subtle expression guides his process, shaping pieces that invite viewers to engage emotionally and thoughtfully.

Bruce’s influences come primarily from books and occasional online videos rather than formal training. His style is driven by the emotions he aims to convey and the expressions he observes in others. He strives to create work that draws viewers inward, encouraging them to discover their own interpretations and responses.

A Full Circle Moment
One of the most meaningful experiences in Bruce’s artistic life occurred about twenty‑five years ago near the old Humbolt school. He encountered Ms. Fitch the teacher who first introduced him to clay after decades apart. Their brief reunion brought a profound sense of déjà vu, gratitude, and closure. It was a moment that reminded him how deeply those early experiences shaped his creative path.

10/15/2026

Glamtrashzodiac's work is amazing and you can find a large selection of this amazing jewelry with us!

Keep up the amazing work and thank you for being a part of our gallery and family!

10/15/2026

Introducing Stained Glass Artist Susan Berry at Elysian Gallery.

We’re proud to welcome local stained glass artist Susan Berry to Elysian Gallery. Susan brings more than twenty‑five years of experience to her craft, working primarily in the Tiffany style with occasional Leadlight techniques. Born and raised in the Riverbend area, she and her husband have spent their lives here, raising two sons and building deep roots in the community.

Susan’s path into stained glass began with a simple mail‑order “teach yourself” kit. What started as curiosity grew into a fully developed artistic practice, shaped entirely through self‑teaching, experimentation, and persistence. Today, she works out of her home studio affectionately nicknamed The Glasshole by her sons where she continues to push the boundaries of traditional stained glass.

Susan creates a wide range of stained glass work, including large windows, small panels, and three‑dimensional sculptures. Her pieces often incorporate unexpected materials such as glass eyes, gemstones, crystals, metal castings, clocks, and ethically sourced elements like snakeskin. These additions allow her to build a non‑traditional style of glass art that blends structure, imagination, and bold visual impact.

Every project begins as a concept she sketches and then works to bring into reality. She embraces unusual ideas and enjoys solving the structural challenges that come with them. Strong color, textured clear glass, and a willingness to experiment define her aesthetic. Her work frequently explores themes of mental health, transformation, paradox, death, and innate joy, all carried by a distinct gothic sensibility.

Susan’s goal is to create modern, accessible stained glass that evokes a powerful emotional response, art that invites viewers to feel something, question something, or see familiar materials in a new way.

10/13/2026

10/10/2026

We love to celebrate our Resident Artist's achievements. This time we give a huge round of applause to Tammi Elbert for her People's Choice Award. Congratulations Tammi and thank you for being a part of our gallery and art family!

Congratulations to Tammi Elbert for winning the People's Choice Award during the 2026 MMFAS Landscapes Exhibit at the Washinton Train Depot for her photograph titled "Wyoming Storm."