BAVA Gallery Cooperative Opened in Green Bay

The new artist-run gallery on Dousman Street showcases hand-made works from local creators.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Fine Art

Bold vector editorial illustration of a wooden sculpture and ceramic vase on a pedestal in an airy gallery, representing a local art collective. — The BAVA Gallery Cooperative has officially opened in Green Bay's Broadway District, offering a dedicated new space for local artists to showcase and sell handmade works. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The BAVA Gallery Cooperative has officially opened in the Broadway District of Green Bay. Operating out of a renovated historic building, the gallery aims to provide a new space for local art.

Why it matters

The cooperative chose the Broadway District to address a lack of dedicated art spaces in downtown Green Bay. By functioning as an artist-owned entity, it supports the local creative economy directly.

Fifteen artists currently operate the cooperative, with plans to expand that roster to 20 members. Participating artists retain 90% of all sales proceeds from their work.

The players

BAVA Gallery Cooperative

This is an artist-owned organization that functions as a cooperative to sell and display hand-made works.

The details

The gallery features exclusively hand-made local art, with an inventory that includes wall art, sculpture, wood pieces, ceramics, home decor, and gifts. It is situated on Dousman Street in a renovated historic building.

September 25, 2026: The gallery held an open house and ribbon cutting.

Industry Dynamics

The BAVA Gallery Cooperative follows a pattern set by the National Endowment for the Arts' creative placemaking initiatives to revitalize downtown areas through local art hubs. This model contrasts with traditional commercial galleries by prioritizing artist ownership and higher revenue retention.

Residents and visitors to the Broadway District can now browse and purchase locally made crafts and art directly from the creators. This new storefront provides a fresh retail venue for unique gifts and home decor in the downtown area.

The takeaway

Artist-owned cooperatives offer a sustainable model for creators to keep the majority of their sales revenue while filling gaps in local retail markets. Shoppers looking for unique, hand-made items can directly support local talent by visiting these community-driven spaces.