Gallery owners Ellen and
Sue Rontal bring the
colorful Southwest to
downtown Franklin.
Ellen Rontal's family room fea-
tures an eclectic mix of furniture
and art. Navajo artist Dan Hatt's
animal figures sit on top of a
Chuck Rowan table. The Sioux
warrior near the windows is by
Mark KJuck.
ue Rontal first became fasci-
nated with Southwestern art
when she lived in El Paso 23
years ago while her husband
was in the army. After moving back
to Detroit, she continued her pas-
sion for Southwestern art and her
travels out west. Her sister-in-law,
Ellen, happened to be visiting
when Sue opened a purchase from
an art excursion.
"Why can't we find that type of
art here?" asked Ellen.
That question started the sisters-
in-law thinking about a business.
By Carla Jean Schwartz
Photography by Glenn Triest
STYLE • FALL 1992
• 27