WATERLOO - Paco Rosic's artwork is on display all over the Cedar Valley. His work hangs in places like Bourbon Street Restaurant in Cedar Falls and Cu Restaurant and Monica's Cigar Bar in Waterloo. He currently has an exhibit showing at the Evan Kaiulani art gallery in downtown Waterloo.

Soon, he will have a gallery all to himself.

Rosic purchased the building at 622 Commercial St. in downtown Waterloo and plans for convert the space to a gallery and a sandwich and coffee shop.

Rosic looked at buildings all over the Cedar Valley before deciding on this one, which formerly housed Toad's Treasures. "I like downtown Waterloo," Rosic said. "I think it would be neat to build this place up."

Terry Poe Buschkamp, executive director of Main Street Waterloo, said such an undertaking is part of one direction downtown is going.

"This is certainly the focus of the new cultural district to bring additional members of the creative culture into downtown," Buschkamp said.

The gallery will be a family affair. Jacky Rosic, Paco's father, will do much of the woodworking on the building. Jacky Rosic and his wife, Anna, will run the kitchen, which will feature organic food. "My mom has always been into the organics," Paco Rosic said.

The sale of the building closed a few weeks ago, with Rosic getting the keys Jan. 19. He is waiting on building plans before he can begin work.

The gallery will primarily feature his work, but Rosic is setting aside space for artists from across the country. The building will have Rosic's personal touch on the walls in more ways than one. He is also painting the walls himself. His goal is to recreate the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. He's flying to Europe in late March to study his project.

"It was my dream to paint this painting," Rosic said.

Buschkamp cited a growing family of artists, such as the Metro Arts Guild, as a big force in the revitalization of downtown. The Metro Arts Guild is a group of artists who meet and network downtown.

Lucas Alexander, one of the founding members of the Metro Arts Guild, moved to the area from Seattle last year. He said the downtown has been a good draw for artists, which can lead to better development.

"When you have people working and opening up places that cater to the arts, I think you're going to attract other businesses," Alexander said.

Contact RC Balaban at (319) 291-1418 or rc.balaban@wcfcourier.com.