When most people think of a bike shop, images of grease-stained tools, tires and bike parts likely come to mind. For Pedal Grinnell’s team of students, however, a bike shop is more than just a place to fix bikes. It’s a space where art, craftsmanship and passion mix in unexpected ways. The exhibit “Pop-Up Pedal Shop” was brought to life by Ethan Versh `27 and Eli Brotman `25 to show that bikes can transcend their normal transportation function and become works of art in their own way. The exhibition opened at the Edith Renfrow Smith `37 Student Art Gallery on Feb. 10 and will be open through Feb. 24.
The inspiration behind the exhibit came from Versh’s lifelong love of both bikes and art. Versh explained that the two passions merged naturally. “It’s kind of two things I spend a lot of time doing and thinking about,” Versh said. “It was natural that they came together. If you have something you love, you start thinking about it artistically.” For Versh, the beauty of a bike isn’t just in its function but in the details, the mechanics and the simplicity of its design.
Brotman’s love of bikes inspired him to found Pedal Grinnell, a student-run organization that repairs and rents out bikes on campus. “Some of our main functions as a student org are our weekly office hours, where we repair bikes and engage with students,” said Brotman. “So, I feel like this is a perfect intersection of everything we do.”
Versh said that the bike shop setting itself shaped the artwork displayed in the gallery. The goal was to create pieces that felt both handmade and accessible, mirroring the environment of a bike shop where craftsmanship and simplicity are recognized along with community.
“One of the things I love about bikes is their simplicity. You look at the gears and brakes, and you can see how everything works together. I wanted the artwork to feel the same way,” Versh explained. “I wanted it to be fun to look at, where you can peer your head around and understand how it works and how it came together.”
In the Smith Gallery, an environment that encourages creative freedom, Versh and Brotman found the perfect place to bring their vision to life. The gallery itself gave them the opportunity to focus on the project without restrictions. “I think it’s really cool how much freedom the Art Department gives you,” said Versh. “They give you the key, ask you to put a sign up and everything else is pretty much your game.”
Visitors to the exhibit are encouraged to interact with the artwork and explore the space. “Feel free to look at things. This is a very functional space for us,” said Brotman. “We’re actually doing Pedal Grinnell office hours out of here for the next two weeks. So all the stuff that’s in here, we’re using.” This interaction creates an immersive experience for visitors, as they not only view the artwork but also see it in action as part of the bike shop’s day-to-day operations.
“If you come, just look at how everything is secured and investigate the technical skills. That’s what I would say to the new visitor,” said Brotman.
