Owner Roy Saper’s passion for art began at an early age. He began collecting art as a teenager. First displaying works in his childhood home, his collection followed him to his college dorm room, and later into his current residence in East Lansing.

“Art is very much like music,” Saper said. “It’s something that you enjoy and want to share with people. I really enjoy the expressions and the mediums that artists portray.”

All the pieces in the gallery are owned by Saper. His collection grows as he travels and visits art exhibits.

“When I see an artist whose works I enjoy, I buy it because I like it,” he said. “And I figure if I like it, other people will like it as well.”

As time progressed, Saper’s passion for art only grew and so did his desire to share art with the community.

Saper said he had no long-term plans to construct a gallery. In 1985, construction began on the building where the gallery currently resides. By 1986, Saper moved in and displayed his collection.

“It was just a natural course,” he said. “And I’ve been having fun ever since.”

Saper prides his gallery on the differences it has compared to larger, more commercial art galleries. When purchasing art from an artist he’s interested in, he doesn’t examine the background of the artist in question, as some galleries do. For Saper, the process is more down to earth — he judges the artists solely on the quality of their art.

“We won’t celebrate art for reasons other than for aesthetic reasons,” he said.

Upon walking into the gallery, you can expect an enthusiastic welcome from Saper himself.

He shows patrons around the gallery, chatting about the art and the artists, serving as a personal guide to the exhibits.

Saper said this is how relationships are established with the patrons.

“Give people the time and the attention that they deserve,” he said. “We think about building a relationship with the people and treating each person like it’s our last.”

Almost one-third of galleries close after their third year, according to Saper. He says the differences that set his gallery apart from others could possibly be the reason behind his success in the art industry.

“Those who are running those galleries don’t have a strong commitment to what they’re running,” he said. “You can’t treat it like a job. You have to do it because you enjoy it.”

Saper applies his logic not only to running his gallery, but to all businesses in general.

“When starting something, don’t copy what someone else has done,” he said.

“Wipe the slate clean and try to create something the best it’s ever been created, and make it unique.”

Apart from his visitors, Saper has an immense dedication to supplying new art in his gallery. During a given year, Saper receives more than 1,000 requests from artists, all asking him to buy and display their works in his gallery. Because of the massive amount of requests, Saper said he rejects 99 percent of them.

“For somebody to get their art in here, that’s pretty noteworthy,” he said.

Whether they’re members of the MSU community or patrons from the 22 countries Saper works with, those who buy the art from the gallery can expect quality in their purchase. Saper makes sure the buyer knows everything about the piece they’re investing in.

Appreciation for art isn’t costly, Saper said. The gallery sells original sketches from artists for as low as $20. For the more affluent art enthusiasts, other pieces can be found for a higher price.

With 1,500 to 2,000 pieces of art for sale and on display at any given time, the gallery is now displaying the work of Theodor Geisel, or Dr. Seuss — quite appropriate considering his birthday was Monday.

“With all the things that are negative in your life, this is an oasis away from all of that,” Saper said. “As a resource for people, take advantage of us. We’re here.”