Often in life, what lies beneath the surface proves most intriguing.

For Lakewood-area resident Brooke Berman, owner of the Brooke Berman Gallery, it is the discovery of emerging artists that captivates.

"I work with artists at the beginning of their careers. Their work is so amazing, but no one has ever seen it," said Berman, a gallery owner for two years.

Her mission not only focuses on the works of emerging artists, but also on the flourishing collector; much of the art represented in her gallery is priced at the emerging level.

"I have a lot of young collectors, as well as clients in their early and late 70s and 80s. Most of the art is less than $1,000, but that fluctuates depending on the size and media of the piece," Berman said. "I am genuinely happy to be the ‘stepping stone' for this process."

Berman's interest in local artists ignited in 2003. "That's when I started locally collecting art, particularly in the emerging market. There was so much coming out, especially from an investment standpoint, and seeing the artists grow," she said.