Local Art, Organic Syrup Collide at Three Queens

Sometimes a business idea comes organically.

That's the case with Three Queens Organic, a new art gallery in the Oak Park Arts District, which grew out of two far-away happenings: a love for art developed in Europe, and a discovery of maple trees on a farm in Wisconsin. 

Oak Park resident Christine Fisher opened the gallery in April, and said she loves the space she has at 140 Harrison St. Besides local art, Fisher also sells organic maple syrup

"It’s eclectic and funky," she said. "It’s a space where I can do my work, too."

Her love for art developed when her family was living in Europe, where her children's schools had fantastic art programs. She also toured around and learned about the art there.

"There was art all around me," Fisher said. "It just took off from there."

Write a review of Three Queens Organic in Oak Park. 

Fisher and her family moved to Oak Park about nine years ago, and she began taking art classes. She later joined a women's art group and grew close to local artists. 

"We’ve had the same group for seven years, and we all stuck together through divorces, illnesses, everything," Fisher said of the group. "They were all very supportive. I'm featuring some of their work here."

Eventually, Fisher decided she wanted to open her own gallery. Around the same time, she and her husband were looking for a second home and found land in Viroqua, WI, part of the southwest "Driftless Area." 

And that's when they discovered maple trees on the property. They tapped for the first time last year and just began selling organic syrup a few weeks ago. Three Queens will also be selling it at the Oak Park Farmers Market, and visitors to the gallery can get a free tasting any time of one of the three varieties: amber, dark and very dark. 

Even the syrup is influenced by the art that surrounds it. Fisher said she purchased two prints and a painting of queens from local artist Sandy Dawson, and that later became the inspiration for the gallery's name and the syrup varieties. A good bottle design was also needed. 

“Syrup is syrup, but how can we make it look interesting, craft?” Fisher said. 

She added that she's always looking for local artists to feature, but they "have to fit the style." Fisher also has various items for sale, such as Amish hand-woven blankets, upcycled furniture and more.

Three Queens Organic is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 

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