After studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, then graduating from the University of Iowa, Craig McKinney came to Milwaukee to help his sister and brother-in-law redo their basement. In typical "Milwaukee magnet" fashion, McKinney stayed in Brew City, launching both a successful professional career (as an interactive designer at OnMilwaukee.com) and an art gallery.

McKinney's new gallery, called studiomak ("Mak" is his nickname), debuts Friday, Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. during Gallery Night. Adjacent to the Walker's Point Center for the Arts at 901 E. National Ave., studiomak presents "Random Thoughts," a collection of paintings by Arvid Petersen.

"'Random Thoughts' are something that I enjoy sharing with other people in hopes of getting at the very least a smile of a reaction out of someone," says Petersen, a full-time Milwaukee artist with space in Bay View's Hide House.

McKinney, who is scheduled to have a solo show this coming July, grew up with eight siblings, including afore-mentioned sister sculptor Heather Hartz, in rural Iowa and Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's of fine arts in graphic design and printmaking, with a secondary emphasis in intermedia and illustration.

"I've always wanted to open a gallery that serves as both a place to interact with fellow artists and as a showroom for talented unknown artists," said McKinney. "The Milwaukee art scene has developed so much during the three years I've lived in the area, and I want to do my part to encourage that growth to continue. There is so much great art in and around Milwaukee that should be available for everyone to see."

studiomak's Web site is www.studiomak.com