RM Gallery to open in Phoenix with inaugural 10-artist show and scholarship fund

RM Gallery will open Nov. 14 in Phoenix with a 10-artist exhibition honoring Arizona artist Ed Mell and a new scholarship for an Arizona State University art student. The gallery is pairing its debut with collector events and a pledge to direct 10% of sales to the scholarship fund.

Why it matters: - RM Gallery is entering Phoenix’s arts scene with a debut built around both exhibition programming and direct financial support for emerging artists. - The gallery’s scholarship plan ties sales activity to education funding, creating a long-term giving model for an art student at Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. - The opening also turns the legacy of Arizona artist Ed Mell into a public-facing event centered on artistic influence and community connection.

What happened: - RM Gallery, founded by Rose Marie Stremel-Mell, will open on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, in Phoenix. - The gallery’s inaugural exhibition is titled Reimagining a Legacy: Honoring the Artistic Inspiration of Arizona’s Native Son. - The show features 10 artists: Billy Schenck, Gary Ernest Smith, Indigo Blue, John Bell, Kris Kollasch, Mark Henderson, Mel Abert, Ray Dewey, Steve Latimer and Thomas Breeze Marcus. - The exhibition will remain on view through Dec. 12, 2026. - The public opening is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RM Gallery, 2337 N. 10th St., Phoenix, AZ 85006. - RM Gallery will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the exhibition, with additional visits available by appointment.

The details: - Rose Marie Stremel-Mell said the gallery was inspired after the death of her husband, Arizona artist Ed Mell, when artists and friends began sharing stories about his influence. - Those stories shaped the first exhibition and the gallery’s broader mission to celebrate artistic influence while supporting future generations. - RM Gallery is launching the RM Stremel-Mell Scholarship for Art Business Impact. - Rose Marie Stremel-Mell has pledged 10% of each gallery sale to the scholarship fund. - The first scholarship is intended for an art student at Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts beginning in fall 2027. - RM Gallery will also host private collector events around the opening and exhibition period. - Collectors can request information about private events and viewing opportunities by contacting RoseMarie@rmartgallery.com. - RM Gallery describes its mission as connecting artists, collectors and the community through exhibitions, artist storytelling, collector programming and support for future generations of artists.

Between the lines: - The gallery is positioning itself as more than a retail space by pairing sales, storytelling and philanthropy in one opening strategy. - The scholarship program gives RM Gallery a built-in community benefit that could help differentiate it in a crowded market. - Centering the debut on Ed Mell’s artistic legacy gives the gallery a clear narrative and a local identity tied to Arizona art.

What's next: - RM Gallery opens to the public Nov. 14 and keeps the inaugural exhibition on view through Dec. 12. - The first scholarship is slated to be awarded beginning in fall 2027. - Private collector programming and appointment-based visits are expected to continue alongside the gallery’s regular weekend hours. - More information is available at the gallery’s website and on Instagram.

The bottom line: - RM Gallery is launching with a dual pitch: a gallery opening built around Arizona art heritage and a scholarship model designed to turn sales into future support for students.