A Granddaughter’s Journey Through Art, Memory, and Quiet Guidance
The 6,000-square-foot gallery space that John Mann built was more than just a place to showcase art — it was the backdrop to a family’s story. For the Mann family, it wasn’t merely a business; it was where work and life, learning and love, milestones and memories, all quietly intertwined. When the decision was made to close the John Mann Gallery, it wasn’t done lightly. It was, and remains, one of those heartbreaks that felt both necessary and profoundly personal — the kind of ending that carries the weight of a hundred beginnings.
Among those beginnings was the quiet unfolding of young Jessie Schroeder’s path
— John’s granddaughter — who first came to the gallery at 18 with a camera in hand and little idea of the world she was stepping into. At the time, Jessie was studying photography in college, and John offered her a chance to photograph the artwork. A simple job. But John, as always, saw more.
After a time away, exploring other opportunities — including a stint at 13th Street Winery serving wine — Jessie found herself drawn back to the gallery. It had become a kind of welcoming home, a place where she was always met with encouragement and possibility. Though she has since moved on to pursue a different career path, her years at the John Mann Gallery shaped her in quiet, lasting ways. John gave Jessie what he gave so many: space to prove herself, freedom to explore, and confidence to find her own rhythm.
Three generations of
The Mann Family
(left to right)
John Mann,
Jessie Tallman,
Jennifer Schroeder
Under his watch, she learned — not through grand instruction, but through presence, example, and quiet trust. She evolved from photographer to gallery assistant, learning the ropes of art handling, installations, administration, and sales. Over time, she became a trusted part of the gallery’s daily pulse.
She was even married there. Right in the gallery.
Beneath the gaze of the paintings her grandfather had chosen, surrounded by the same walls she helped hang and care for, Jessie began a new chapter of her life — one tied inseparably to the art and space her grandfather built.
Now, with her first child on the way — John Mann’s great-grandchild — that connection takes on even deeper meaning. We all congratulate Jessie Tallman and wish her the very best as her family grows. No doubt her grandfather is watching proudly from above, smiling at how far she’s come.
A Legacy Passed Down — And Still Alive
The Mann Collection, now entrusted to Armstrong Fine Art Consulting, remains a living reflection of the eye, heart, and values that guided John through decades of thoughtful collecting. Armstrong Fine Art Consulting is honoured to be entrusted with the stewardship of this important collection. The same faith John showed in his granddaughter — giving her room to grow and flourish — is echoed in the trust his daughters have placed in us.
We are proud to now make this collection available to collectors who value legacy and the stories that live on— stories of vision, trust, and the enduring power of art to connect generations.
Jessie Tallman with Margie Galita of
Armstrong Fine Art Consulting
"Social media video featuring Jessie Schroeder highlighting the 13th Street Winery Sculpture Garden, filmed during the pandemic as part of a community initiative to promote safe, outdoor cultural experiences."
