Situated near the corner of 16th Street and 10th Avenue, Madison & Main cooperative art gallery has helped showcase work from artists from Greeley and beyond for nearly four decades.
“A lot of art has walked both ways in and out of these doors,” founding member and ceramic artist Rodney Barnes said.
On Thursday, the gallery will be inducted into the Greeley Arts Legacy Hall of Fame, honoring years of supporting artists through exposure and tutelage.
“It’s humbling,” Barnes said of the gallery’s induction. “It’s been so fulfilling over the years being able to display other people’s artwork and experiencing the art of so many people. We get to be a piece of people’s lives. And that kind of interaction really is special.”
Art by member artists hangs on the walls at Madison and Main Gallery in Greeley on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)
Madison & Main came to be in the mid-1980s, when a group of potters — including Barnes — had a couple Christmas sales and realized they wanted something more. They were aware of art co-ops in Boulder and wanted to bring the idea to Greeley.
“We decided, ‘Let’s have a gallery that’s local and we can feature our own work in,’” Barnes said.
Madison & Main officially opened its doors in 1987 downtown at what was then the corner of Madison Avenue and Main Street — now the corner of 8th Avenue and 8th Street.
After a decade downtown, the gallery moved to 23rd Avenue and 16th Street, where it operated for about five years before settling into its current spot at 927 16th St., across the street from the University of Northern Colorado.
Art by member artists is displayed in the front window at Madison and Main Gallery in Greeley on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)
Ever since, the gallery has featured the work of thousands of artists, rotating what’s on display every two months. On the first Friday of every other month, they host a reception to celebrate the new show.
Members — often those with the most seniority and experience — are tasked with setting up the galleries throughout the year. Though no single person chooses what art will be displayed, an individual is in charge of how it will be displayed and getting each piece situated just right.
“I love being able to touch other people’s artwork. It’s very personal,” Barnes said. “To me, an empty wall is power.”
And no matter what the gallery or theme, every piece of art hanging on the walls at Madison & Main is for sale, with a portion of the sale going to the gallery to cover operating expenses.
Every member artist also works the register at the gallery from time to time each month, giving them a chance to interact with those interested in coming in to either purchase art or learn more about the gallery.
Member artist Marian Hesse sweeps leafs from the back door during her shift at Madison and Main Gallery in Greeley on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)
Several membership tiers are available, and each differs by price, number of shifts that must be worked and consignment rate on artwork sold.
The best way to learn about how to get involved is by stopping by the gallery when it’s open, Barnes said.
Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The gallery is closed Sundays and Mondays.
For more information on the gallery, call 970-351-6201 or go to MadMainGallery.com.
Art by member artists hangs on the walls at Madison and Main Gallery in Greeley on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (Brice Tucker/Staff Photographer)
Greeley Arts Legacy Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in the Hensel Phelps Theater at the Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. Madison & Main will be inducted alongside pianist Phyllis Eaton and violin builder George Fisk.
Tickets to the ceremony are free and can be reserved at GreeleyArtsLegacy.org/ceremony. Tickets are reserved until 7 p.m., when they will be forfeited to those waiting in line.