Ames has a new gallery for local artists.

Jennifer Anderson, owner of The Wall Nut, 303 Kellogg Ave., said she opened the store as a way to get people’s artwork seen when it might not be otherwise.

“My friends and I are artists and wanted a place to show our work,” Anderson said.

She said she and her friends had found problems getting their work seen by the public.

“The Octagon Center for the Arts is not accessible to every artist,” Anderson said.

“No one I know can afford to buy anything there. My goal is to keep prices down so everyone can afford the artwork.”

Anderson said the highest price for a painting is $400 and the least expensive is $20.

The gallery includes paintings and jewelry for sale from five local artists.

Anderson said she wants to eventually have more local artists and ISU students display their work.

Jordan Zantour is one of the local artists whose work is on display at The Wall Nut.

Zantour said Anderson had seen his work and approached him about selling it in her new gallery.

“I don’t know a lot about selling. Mainly I just want people to see my art. I make it for people to see,” Zantour said.

Up until this point, Zantour said he has only sold work to friends.

Zantour currently has six paintings on display at The Wall Nut and has more to come.

Anderson said a majority of the work right now is hers.

“I decided I wanted to be an artist when I was 2 years old,” Anderson said.

Anderson has no specific place she draws her creativity from.

“I’m inspired by things I see everyday,” Anderson said.

“Walking around, you see random things.”

She said lately her paintings and collages deal with current issues in the world.

Anderson said the best thing about her business so far is the impact it has had on others.

“A lot of people have gotten inspired to do their own work, people who normally don’t sit down to paint,” Anderson said. “It’s exciting to see other people get excited.”

The Wall Nut is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

On weekends it is available by appointment only.