As Valentine’s Day approaches, FunktiniLand celebrates its first anniversary in Lakewood. The gallery officially opened Feb. 11, 2025, with a welcoming community that supports Ohio artists. With its decorated windows and eclectic displays, the small business has added creativity and character to Detroit Avenue — and its first year in Lakewood marks an exciting milestone.
Their journey began in the early 2000s through a shared artistic vision between mother and daughter, JoAnn Rawley and Beth Keenan, co-owners of FunktiniLand. The pair traveled the eastern half of the United States showcasing their creativity at art shows.
Keenan said, “My mom and I used to do art shows for a living, and we traveled all around Ohio.”
As artists themselves, they loved sharing and discovering other Ohio artists’ talents. After they stopped doing art shows, the mother-daughter duo created a gallery space in downtown Cleveland. The first FunktiniLand was in downtown Cleveland, but they relocated to Lakewood last year.
The store’s name reflects its playful personality — “funky martinis” — with “land” added as a tribute to Cleveland. Keenan said, “We decided to name it that to keep it fun—it’s fun and funky, and those are in the name.”
Keenan and Rawley began making martini glasses and incorporating them into their artwork collection, adding their own whimsy to the store and creating a meaningful background for their business.
FunktiniLand was not only a shop to support its own artwork but also to promote other local artists in Ohio. “We really wanted to open up a store that supported artists year-round and gave them a spot where they could sell their work,” Keenan said.
Since opening last February, FunktiniLand has been selling the work of more than 100 Ohio artists, many of whom the pair met during their years traveling to art shows. One of these artists was Chuck Wimmer. Wimmer said, “FunktiniLand’s owners, Beth and her mother Jo, were doing many of the same shows I was exhibiting at over the years. That’s how we met. I liked them and their art, and they liked mine.”
Not only do adults have their art at the shop but kids too. For example, a young girl named Josie. “Josie is 12 years old now, but she was 11 when she started making flowers out of felt and showcasing them in the shop,” Rawley said. Even young artists can come into FunktiniLand to display their work and help keep creativity flowing in Lakewood.
The store, located on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, has a colorful, fun-filled interior despite limited space. As soon as a customer walks in, they are greeted with a variety of items to look at. From stickers and 2D prints to ceramic pieces, glassware and wood-burnings.
The owners also renovated the basement of the shop, turning it into a room filled with antique pieces from around the area. With their keen eye for art and ability to appeal to a diverse audience, this mother and daughter have created a space that has something for everyone, even for those who just want to pop in and view the art. “You don’t always have to buy something. Sometimes it’s just about having a conversation and looking around,” Keenan said.
The city of Lakewood is a community where small businesses are welcomed with open arms. Along with the residents, the businesses themselves are continually working to support one another. This collaboration helps the small business community grow and thrive and maintains the friendly atmosphere that Lakewood is known for.
“We love to collaborate with other small businesses. We’re going to be doing a fundraiser in early May where the whole block is getting involved,” Keenan said.
Shops often succeed most when owners have a strong bond with each other and the community. Luckily for them, this mother-daughter duo has been working together their entire lives. Wimmer said, “Beth and Jo are great art promoters. They are constantly posting on social media to stay engaged with the public. People seem to like their variety and humor.”
Many Ohio artists’ work is displayed not only throughout FunktiniLand but also inside Nature’s Oasis, located right next door. A small connecting door links the entrance of FunktiniLand directly to Nature’s Oasis. The space next door once served for additional seating, but that area has since become part of the FunktiniLand shop.
This unique connection allows visitors to experience local art in multiple settings, from browsing handcrafted pieces inside FunktiniLand to enjoying the atmosphere next door surrounded by artwork from Ohio creators.
Each month, Nature’s Oasis features one artist on their wall in the café. One Ohio artist featured in February was Wimmer. “He’s an artist here who does all this really colorful, bold artwork. He’s a digital artist, does all his own printing, and his art brings a lot of humor,” Keenan said.
Along with simply being a space where people can come take a look around, FunktiniLand utilizes its next-door neighbor, Nature’s Oasis, to hold events after hours. For a small fee, artists from the Lakewood community are allowed to use the cafe area to teach classes and hold workshops in the afternoon and into the evenings.
These events range from making stained glass artwork to creating simple collages with your friends and family.
Chelsey Farnum, an artist who helps to contribute to the art collective, periodically hosts “paint your own pet portraits,” says Keenan.
These events are what helps this business thrive, while also giving back to the community at the same time. Rowley says, “They also have a place where they can feel welcomed and where they can belong and become active if they want to.”
By giving artists — both established and emerging — a platform to share their work, FunktiniLand continues to nurture creativity in Lakewood. One year in, the gallery stands as more than just a storefront; it is a celebration of local talent, collaboration and community.
