PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST

Christine Gebauer, founder of Celestial Art Curation in downtown Hinsdale, reflects on her journey as a contemporary artist and why she believes art should be accessible for everyone.

As a child, Christine Gebauer was always creating, taking art classes in local artists’ basements and at the Elmhurst Art Museum. And even though others praised her work, she didn’t feel special at all. If anything, the attention embarrassed her.

“My mother jokes that she doesn’t have much of my childhood artwork because my teachers often asked to keep it. I was consistently included in student exhibitions and school art shows, but at the time it didn’t feel extraordinary,” admits the Elmhurst native. “It simply felt normal. In fact, I took my ability for granted.”

It wasn’t until she was in her mid-thirties that she began to pursue art again. Instead, she had followed a more traditional corporate path—working as a Cosmetics Buyer and later as an Inventory Planner at Ulta Beauty.

“After my second son was born, I felt called to something more purposeful,” explains Gebauer. “During a period of reflection and meditation, one word kept surfacing—art. When I allowed myself to explore painting seriously in 2022, it felt less like learning a new skill and more like remembering who I had always been.”

That first painting was a turning point, a wakeup call.

“At first, the feeling was simply, ‘Look what I made.’ But when my husband encouraged me to explore abstract painting, it shifted to feeling as though I was communicating ‘Look what my soul made’,” she continues. “Abstract painting allows me to communicate my inner world more honestly than representational work ever could.”

As her practice evolved, interior designers and private collectors began asking her to help source artwork for their homes. That shift from artist to curator led to the launch of Celestial Art Curation online in 2023 and the opening of her brick-and-mortar gallery in 2024.

Suddenly, a lifelong dream became a reality.

Today, Gebauer works as a contemporary abstract artist and runs Celestial Art Curation in downtown Hinsdale. Born from a belief that original art should feel both valuable and attainable, the downtown Hinsdale gallery represents established and emerging contemporary artists with pieces at all price points.

“The artwork that I curate shares the same emotional depth and artistic integrity as my own work, while offering clients works from a variety of contemporary artists from the Chicago-area and beyond,” she says. “Every painting is one of a kind. Our photography and print works are offered in limited editions.”

The common thread at Celestial Art Curation is presence. The pieces are not trend-driven. Instead, they represent meaningful moments in each artist’s evolution.

“Many of the artists I represent discovered their practice later in life, much like I did. For them, art is not purely decorative. It is a necessary emotional or spiritual practice,” says Gebauer. “That sincerity translates to the collector experience. Acquiring a piece often becomes a deeply personal experience for both the artist and the client.”

As both an artist and a former merchant, she saw a clear gap in the market—one that Celestial Art Curation has quickly filled.

“What began online quickly evolved into a physical gallery at the request of our clients and out of a desire to build community around art,” adds Gebauer, who collaborated with Diana Wagenbach of Studio W Interiors to transform a former office into a contemporary gallery environment. “Hinsdale was the only location I considered, as I already live in town and cherish the historic downtown district and the sense of community it fosters.”

As Celestial Art Curation flourished, another concept emerged organically—Artful Living & Vintage, an evolving line of small-scale original works and pieces sized for shelves, bedside tables, and gifting.

“Over time, we expanded to include artisan candles, art books, glass works, and vintage objects,” she says. “The through line is quality and artistic value. I source our vintage pieces from rural barns during my travels through the southern United States and from specialty dealers focused on European and early American antiques.”

One thing is certain. Gebauer no longer takes her artistic ability, or her success, for granted.

“Designers and private clients appreciate that we offer one-of-a-kind works that feel as personal as the homes they are creating,” she says. “It is incredibly rewarding to see our artists’ work integrated into beautifully designed interiors, and to know that each placement supports a working artist.”

Celestial Art Curation is located at 9 E. First Street, Suite 2, in Hinsdale. You may also follow her on Instagram @celestialartcuration or visit celestialartcuration.com.