User:Toktam1968

Lojart Gallery Business Profile
By Angie Young

Lojart Gallery is a fresh presence in the south valley community selling art from local and international artists. The name Lojart comes from the word Loja a Portuguese term meaning market/bazaar. Lojart encourages and fosters the creative spirit and provides a sanctuary for artists. In addition to original works Lojart also features home décor for the discerning eye. Toktam, owner and founder, carried her dream of starting a gallery like Lojart for ten years; the opportunity presented itself in December 2005 when a small suite was available for lease in downtown near Maurizio’s Restaurant. When Jody’s Junction closed shop last spring, the gallery then expanded to the larger building in May at 35 East First Street, Suite B near Monterey Road.

Toktam views art with an open, curious child-like mind untainted by the prejudices given by some within art society; yet she posses the professionalism and astuteness when selecting two and three-dimensional art. Always with the collector in mind she searches high and low for what would visually please the art connoisseur in terms of highest quality. Toktam is dedicated to the south valley and to the art community.

Lojart Mission’s states this: “Art is one of the deepest ways that we connect with our world. It connects us through the inner depths of our souls. Our true feelings are touched by experiencing various forms of art; Colors, textures, sounds, words or touches. When we connect to something, we connect to ourselves. . . As an artist; I want you to connect truly and profoundly with your chosen piece. I want you to feel the joy of the first sight every time you look at it. You are one of a kind, just like our artwork. I want your chosen piece to work in your home, in your life and represent who you are.”

Currently Toktam people from the area who help with running the gallery to other business needs. Her husband Jack operates the website and computer related tasks. Eventually, she’d like to employ a full-time gallery manager who is an artist as well.

“Lojart Gallery appreciates the originality of an art piece celebrating the uniqueness of every artist and work and see different views of our world through their minds, experience, philosophy, thought, creativity, and individuality. These elements are melded in a piece of art. . . “ Toktam said regarding the type of art viewed in her gallery.

Lojart Gallery features a different artist every month on the second Friday evening of that month. For more information please go to www.lojart.com.