Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jordan Slemmer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jordan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I do wish I had started Rainy Days Gallery sooner. Like a lot of entrepreneurs, I was waiting for the perfect moment and the right space, the right timing, the right resources. Looking back, I could’ve started smaller: selling at pop-ups, markets, or even curating one-night shows. I was so focused on securing a physical location that I worried artists wouldn’t want to show without it. What I’ve learned is that most artists are thrilled just to be reached out to. They want to connect, collaborate, and get their work seen.

Too many people hold back because they think they need everything lined up. If you have a vision, the most important thing is to start. Build momentum, stay consistent, and the rest begins to take shape. You don’t need permission to begin you just need the grit to go for it.

Jordan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Jordan Slemmer, the founder and director of Rainy Days Gallery—Denver’s youngest gallery owner, and someone deeply committed to redefining how contemporary art is experienced and collected. I opened Rainy Days Gallery in 2025 after working across museums, galleries, retail, marketing, and creative businesses. My background includes curation, art handling, entrepreneurship, and marketing—but more importantly, my work is rooted in a lifelong passion for art and connection.

I saw the need for something more in Denver—an international commercial gallery that connects emerging and blue-chip artists through intentional sales. Denver already has incredible places to view art and a thriving creative population, many with wide-reaching roots—but it needed more spaces focused on helping people collect art. A space that supports emerging artists through the dealings of both emerging and established work, displaying private collections alongside emerging voices. Rainy Days Gallery strengthens Denver’s reputation as a global hub to discover, purchase, and live with contemporary art.

More than a gallery, Rainy Days is a hub where art meets authenticity, innovation, and human connection.

We’re located in the heart of RiNo. We’re defined by service. We work one-on-one with collectors, designers, and businesses to place artwork in homes, offices, and hospitality spaces. We represent a curated roster of artists and collectors from across the country and the world, and we actively reach out to creators. If we don’t have what you need, we’ll find it. That’s our promise.

Here’s what we offer:

Curated Exhibitions
Showcasing bold, contemporary work from both local and international artists.

Artist Representation
Professional support and career development across painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

Art Consulting & Sales
Personalized guidance for private collectors, businesses, and interior designers. Plus expert art handling services, including installation of digital, video, and new media works.

Event Venue Rental
A unique, intimate art-filled space for brand activations, celebrations, and private parties.

Whether you’re discovering new voices, expanding your collection, or hosting an unforgettable event, Rainy Days Gallery connects you to art that resonates and inspires.

What I’m most proud of is that I’m doing it. I’m going for it—on the days I feel fearless and the days I feel uncertain. I’ve built something that brings art into others’ lives, that inspires conversation, and invites people to experience art with joy, curiosity, and purpose.

At the heart of Rainy Days Gallery is the belief that art has the power to spark conversation. We stand for innovation, integrity, and authentic engagement. And we’re just getting started.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

Yes, we do have an eCommerce platform. We sell art directly through our website and on the ArtCloud Marketplace, a platform specifically built for galleries and collectors that is directly connected to our site. ArtCloud also serves as our CRM, inventory management, and eCommerce solution—allowing us to sell original works and limited editions through both www.rainydaysgallery.com and https://artcloud.market
.

Over 20% of the global art market now operates online, making it the most accessible entry point for new collectors. The biggest pro of using our own platform is increased discoverability—our inventory is automatically SEO-optimized and syndicated across multiple marketplaces. Our platform of choice, ArtCloud (now merged with ArtLogic but still operating separately), integrates with global sites like Artsy as well as its own marketplace, helping our roster reach a wider, international collector base.

The con? Cost. Art-specific platforms can be more expensive than generic hosts like Wix or Shopify. But for a gallery like ours, the investment is worth it—it allows us to support artists professionally and make collecting art more accessible to a global audience.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2022, I lost my mom. She had always been my biggest supporter—the one who encouraged me to pursue art, take risks, and build something of my own. I went back to class, took a final exam just a week later, and kept moving forward. Her passing was the hardest moment of my life, but it became the turning point. I took everything I’d learned from years in galleries, museums, and creative industries and channeled it into launching Rainy Days Gallery. I didn’t have a perfect plan, but I had a purpose—and I refused to let anything stop me.

There have been moments of doubt, financial risk, and long nights figuring it out alone. But every time someone connects with a piece of art in the space I built, or an artist makes a sale and feels truly seen, I think back to one of my last conversations with my mom. She told me she’d never seen me more passionate about anything. That memory keeps me grounded and reminds me exactly why I keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rainydaysgallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainydaysgallery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rainy-Days-Gallery/61574757723808/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanrileyslemmer/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rainy-days-gallery-denver