Betten Imports

FEATURED ARTIST -

Jennifer Rentschler

Open House Wednesday June 9, 6-9 pm
Gallery Exhibit Through July

Artist Jennifer Rentschler was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. Growing up she always had a love for art.  Entering in art competitions was something she frequently did through the years.  Jennifer's close friends and family were truly supportive of her, allowing her to become the person that she is today.

 

            When she was a senior in high school she received an art scholarship to Grand Rapids Community College. Accepting this particular scholarship and only going to college for a short time, she realized that college may not be for her.  She was also offered a scholarship to Kendall School of Art and Design.  After turning down that scholarship, she worked hard at becoming a self-taught and self-motivated individual.

 

In 2008 Jennifer applied for a serving job at a restaurant called "Texas Roadhouse."  After she told the interviewers her interest in painting, they asked to see her portfolio. The next day she received a phone call asking her to do the artwork for the building. One thing led to another, and soon 5 other Texas Roadhouse establishments had asked her to do the same thing.  She didn't realize it at the time, but walking into that building changed her life forever.

 

From there, Jennifer began getting other commission jobs such as doing chalk art for The Gilmore Collection restaurants and murals for Herald Zeigler Ford car dealership.  

 

Jennifer's drive to keep going is being genuinely passionate about painting.  She thinks when you can find something that you love to do and it puts a smile on someone's face, then that's all you really need to keep going. 

The Betten Imports Gallery Story

The Gallery at Betten Imports has been entertaining clients and employees since shortly after we first came to our new facility.

Mr. Betten commented to me that the walls in the back of the Mercedes Showroom need something to liven them up.  I suggested we should invest in artwork.  He wasn't excited about spending huge dollars on original pieces, but thought that I might be on to something.  It became my job to figure out how to achieve this goal without breaking the bank.  A few days and a brainstorm later VIOLA!  The Gallery at Betten Imports was born.

The first two artists were people that I new from my personal life.

They just happened to be artists of some consequence.  I really had no idea how I would follow up with other artists.  No problem!  They started hunting me down.  Service customers had artist friends. Coworkers new somebody who new somebody.  Within a couple of months, we were booked for the next year.

 It has been my policy to use West Michigan artists.  We do offer their work for sale, but do not charge them a commission.  After all we are in the Car Business and not really the Art Business.  This is more of a public service than anything else.  Our reward is that we have continually evolving artwork for our and our client's enjoyment.

With each new artist, we have an Open House, serving coffee, cookies and whatnot.  This gives the artist a chance for a head start on possible sales as friends and potential customers gather and are prompted by the excitement of the event.  Who knows, maybe one day one of them might buy a car. (Actually a number of the artists have.)

It has been a lot of fun for me over the years.  I sincerely hope it has been for our employees, customers and area art patrons as well. - Chuck Piccard