05/21/2026
People often ask us, “Why Parkside Gallery?”
Especially years ago, when the gallery was downtown… nowhere near a park.
What many don’t know is the story behind the name.
When Bob was around 22 years old and had his very first gallery space, a burly man wandered in after spending some time at The Thirsty Whale. He asked Bob what the gallery was called.
Bob admitted he hadn’t even thought about a name yet.
The man looked around and said, “Well… you’re by a park. Why not call it Parkside Gallery?”
And somehow, it stuck.
Three years later, Bob moved downtown to the newer location — and for many years after, people would still come in asking, “Where’s the park?”
Now, all these years later, Parkside Gallery is finally going to have its very own park again — and this time, it’s becoming something truly special.
Including this custom-built gazebo, built by Bob himself.
When Bob first mentioned wanting a gazebo at the new park, Jodi asked him, “Why a gazebo?”
And the answer goes all the way back to childhood.
At seven years old, Bob spent the night at his parents’ good friends’ house and felt incredibly homesick. Their family had an octagon gazebo, and he remembers spending time in it because it felt safe and comforting. Ever since then, he’s been fascinated by octagon gazebos.
Now, years later, he finally had the chance to build one of his own.
And now, in a way, Bob gets to share that same feeling of comfort with all of you here at Parkside Gallery.
This is only the beginning, and we can’t wait to continue sharing the unfolding of the park at Parkside Gallery with all of you 🤍
