While the coffee shop may be a place to read and relax for some, Stomping Grounds, 303 Welch Ave., is also a gallery for Ames’ artistic talent.

An impressive asset that adds to the atmosphere at Stomping Grounds is the artwork, which adorns the walls of the coffee shop. The art pieces featured are the works of aspiring Ames artists, including ISU art students. Last month’s featured artist was Annat Shinar, who showcased various photographs and pieces of dyed cloth.

“We give opportunities to art students at ISU and the works range in style,” says Stomping Grounds clerk Jess Clyde, senior in sociology. “There have been paintings, photography, matted pieces, etc.”

“We also have art students who come in to inquire about opportunities,” says John Reed, owner and manager of Stomping Grounds.

The coffee shop features pieces that artists bring on their own discretion, he says. It is left to the artist to choose which pieces will be shown.

“We leave it up to the artists and we try not to put restrictions on them,” Clyde says. “We screen a little bit by asking to see the works before we put them up.”

The fact that Stomping Grounds offers young and local artists an outlet to exhibit their work benefits both the shop and the artists.

“For us, it gives us a chance to promote people’s artwork while adding a certain touch to the atmosphere of the shop,” Clyde says.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Reed says. “The pieces we showcase makes the place warmer, in a sense. It also gives many artists the opportunity to sell their work.”

The customers are the main buyers of these art pieces, Reed says.

“Frequently, people will comment on the work. They can be pretty vocal about their opinions on the pieces,” Clyde says. More times than not, customer reactions have been positive, Clyde says.

The exhibit of artwork changes every three to four weeks, Clyde says.

This gives others a chance to get some of their work in and keep it up long enough for people to notice and decide whether they will purchase a piece or not.

This month at Stomping Grounds, customers are being treated to the talented creations of Brittany Prater.

Prater, who graduated from Ames High School in 2001, has won various awards and recognition for her works.

After taking time off from school to work in Germany for a year, Prater returned home with over 60 pieces and is currently studying at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Prater has become popular in her own right, so when she came back from Germany this year, she was invited by the shop owners to bring more work.

Local artists are invited and encouraged to make themselves known through Stomping Grounds.

To keep the environment of the shop complimentary, the pieces need to be tasteful, Reed says.

“We don’t discriminate on styles, as long as they bring us quality pieces,” Reed says.