GRIFFIN September 2026

VOLUME VI | ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 CWEA SINCE 1958 The Central West End is fortu- nate to have a concentration of art galleries and plethora of artists as part of the neighborhood mix. Unbeknownst to many, there is also a classical art academy tucked away in the Pierce Arrow Building at 4814 Washington Ave. In 2018, Co-founder and Artistic Director B. J. Parker, Ph.D., with Co-founder Ingrid Oertli, a retired physical ther- apist (and “perpetual art student”), together with several business partners formed a limited liability corporation and opened the Gate- way Academy of Classical Art. The 2020 pandemic made in-per- son classes impractical, and the academy struggled to survive by offering classes online. The pause also provided the founders time to reconsider GACA’s mission and business model. As their thinking evolved, Parker and Oertli transi- tioned the business from an LLC to a 501(c)3. The partners also Gateway Atelier of Classical Art Puts Down Roots in the CWE By Nicki Dwyer changed the academy’s name to Gateway Atelier of Classical Art, put together a board of directors, and, with a growing student body, expanded into a larger studio space in 2025. Atelier is from a French word meaning workshop or studio. GACA, the only classical atelier in the area, teaches drawing and painting in the classical realist tra- dition. Sculpture classes were added last fall. There are classical ateliers in cities like Chicago and Minneap- olis, and more on both coasts, but there are few in the Midwest. Parker said: “As part of our 10- to 20-year plan, we hope to fill that gap and put ourselves on the map.” Last fall, Gateway Atelier started a four-year full-time or part-time certificate Program aimed at help- ing individuals develop the facility to become working artists. There are currently three students en- rolled full-time, and 10 earning the accreditation part-time. Fifteen people are enrolled in individu- al classes offered throughout the week. GACA also has Independent Studio Hours, where students work on their own projects and receive one-on-one critiques. In the af- ternoons, GACA brings in a live model. Over the course of a few days, the model is in an extended pose for about 48 hours, (20 mins. on, five off), so students really get to slow down. In most art schools poses are typically two minutes to two hours. Additionally, workshops led by nationally recognized artists bring in 10 to 15 students with one B.J. Parker and Ingrid Oerti co-founded the Gateway Acaemy of Classical Art. Nicky Dwyer photo Continued on Page 14 Straub’s Puts Its Central West End Property on the Market The Straub’s grocery store that has been on the corner of Mary- land and Kingshighway since 1948 is for sale. The 22,489 square foot building that houses the CWE Straub’s is listed for $3.2 million. The store remains operational while the property is on the mar- By Abby Wojcik ket, but what will happen to the location after a sale remains un- clear. Staff members do not know when their last day might be, feel- ing that every time they clock out could theoretically be their last day at the CWE location. They are savoring the final moments at the store for now, while they await answers about employment status with the company. Straub’s will continue operat- ing its three other locations in Clayton, Town and Country and Webster Groves. Expansions of other big brands, such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, have put more pressure on smaller, locally owned operations. With a Whole Foods located on West Pine Blvd, only two blocks from the CWE Straub’s, makes competing for visibility and cus- tomer retention even more difficult. According to the Specialty Food Association’s 2024-25 industry re- port, specialty retailers struggled to grow sales since the pandemic and are growing about half as quickly as conventional options. William A. Straub founded the first Straub’s in Webster Groves in 1901. The family tradition of serv- ing quality products with excep- tional customer service continues on with the fourth-generation owner and chief executive officer Jack W. (Trip) Straub III, along with his father Jack W. Straub Jr. and fifth-generation Ellie Straub Huff, The local Straub’s grocery store has been a CWE fixture since 1948. Abby Wojcik photo Continued on Page 4 Mailing Label Page 16 Take a Hike (map included) Page 3 9th Ward Report Page 4 Coiffures by Shawn Hangs Up the Scissors