Business Profile: Osmosis Art and Architecture

Osmosis Gallery, a local art gallery at 290 2nd Avenue in Niwot, was born in an architectural firm known as Osmosis Architecture, which has been around for thirty years, the last 20 years in the Niwot location. The current location, a renovated and remodeled former church building which had been converted to residential use before Postle acquired it in 2004, houses both the architectural firm and the art gallery.

"The architecture firm has been around since 1994 and we were in this location in '09 when the gallery and framing shop next door [CanvasBack Gallery] closed down and the owner said that his artists really wished they had a place in Niwot to display, and we had the room, so that's when we opened the gallery," Postle said.

Osmosis Architecture, the firm that hosts the art gallery, owned and operated by Postle and her partner, Tucker Huey. The architecture firm specializes in housing, but also does mixed use commercial and residential projects.

Postle and Huey and other staff members have worked on several projects around Niwot, including donating architectural services for community projects, including the Niwot monument sign on Highway 119, an outdoor dining patio in front of Old Oak Coffeehouse, the concessions buildings at both Rock and Rails and Monarch Ball Fields, and the restroom building at Niwot Children's Park.

"It's actually a good mix to have the art and the architecture," Postle said. "The two businesses compliment each other. They're both creative professions... but they're creative in different ways. The gallery is more of the business we do almost as a service to the community because the Niwot Business District benefits from having a business that brings people to town and gives them something to do while they're wandering and exploring Niwot. As architects, we benefit from being surrounded by creative people and beautiful things."

Postle and Huey also participate as a host in many community events, in addition to the gallery shows and openings. These events include the Niwot Cultural Arts Association's (NCAA) Let's Wine About Winter. The wine tasting event in early February that collaborates with other local businesses and raises money for the Children's Park and Whistle Stop Park was the brainchild of former Osmosis employee Michelle Henzel and Postle. The First Friday art walks around Niwot are also put on by Osmosis Gallery in collaboration with the NCAA.

Postle also brought the Why Not Niwot Juried Art show to the NCAA, which is currently happening around Niwot. Additionally, the featured artist at Osmosis Gallery this summer is Diana Fritzler with her ongoing show "It's a Colorful Life" on display at the gallery.

"We just love Niwot, we care a lot about our tie to the community," Postle said. "We love doing projects here. We're working on a number of remodels and commercial projects and residential projects. We work here, we live here, it's a community that we care about."