Gallery Representation!
Last Saturday was the Artists' Reception and Grand Opening for a new local art gallery here in Greenville, Arts & Experience Gallery and Shop, owned by Eileen Hathaway and her sister, Liz Hughes Wiley. Earlier in the week, after several visits to the gallery, meeting the owner, and hearing her ideas about what she has in mind for Greenville's newest attraction, I made the decision to jump on board and be represented by her gallery. I had delivered four of my framed pieces to be displayed, and after a week of "doing the math" and deciding what my art is "worth", had come up with some pricing and my Artists' Statement to go along with them.
The four images I chose for my gallery debut
The day arrived for the Artists' Reception, and I am proud to say they had a very good turnout, for this being a small Midwestern farm town! Greenville has lot of creatives lurking in the shadows, but unless you are a college (excuse me, it's now a University) student, alumni or associate of Greenville University in some manner, or an exhibitor by invitation of the University, you are pretty much out of luck having anywhere to exhibit. Oh, sure, you might be able to strike up a deal with the local coffee shop or cafe to hang a few, or maybe you can get in on Art Fairs and events by renting a booth now and then. But an actual art gallery? Nope, you'd be driving to St. Louis or Springfield, hoping to be invited or accepted as part of a more established gallery's stable of artists.
Don't get me wrong, I am still aiming for that direction as one of my goals; but for now, baby steps! When the time is right, I'll know it.
The reception was set from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and for the first two hours, there was a steady stream of visitors, both from the Greenville area and even beyond. The gallerists had set up (with a little help from some of us artists, of course) some refreshments and drinks. The beautiful (delicious!) cookies were made by one of Greenville's very own bakery artist, JoEllen Vohlken of JoMama's Signature Sweets. There was cake, and meats/cheese and crackers, and the gallery provided an assortment of drinks for all tastes-- water, soda, beer, and a red and a white wine. Background music was provided by guitarist Dave Black, from St. Louis. Wonderful renditions of jazz/soft rock favorites! Although the gallery itself is still a work-in-progress, as far as the ambience and displays, the gallerists set up a splendid opening party for all.
The ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening the gallery. Pictured are (L. to R.): JudyAnn, an artist from Columbia, IL; myself; Robert and Vicki Ellsworth (Vicki also a gallery artist); owner Eileen Hathaway; sisters Katie and Adia LaFaye of Greenville, the gallery's youngest artists; Liz Hughes Wiley, owner; Greenville Mayor Alan Gaffner; my apologies, name unknown; local photographer Bill Walker; and Crystal Groves of Greenville
Eileen and Liz, cutting one of the cakes baked for the occasion by Federhofer's Bakery in St. Louis, Mo. It was delicious!
Absolutely delectable cookies created by JoMama's Signature Sweets of Greenville, IL! I iknow from personal experience, she makes marvelous cakes too. Everything is custom made, to order!
I truly enjoyed meeting and greeting the other artists, some local, some from out of town. I was a little sad to be the only photographer currently showing there, but on the other hand, being the only artist in that medium does make your work stand out a bit, so I'll take that for now! My husband accompanied me, and stayed a good portion of the evening, in spite of his initial trepidation over what to expect, and out daughter and son-in-law also visited a bit.
Sisters/Co-owners Eileen Hathaway (left) and Liz Hughes Wiley, with a lovely flower arrangement sent for the occasion by their brother Ed Hughes,his wife Gwen and daughter Sierra, all of Reno, NV!
St. Louis guitarist Dave Black provided musical ambience for the event
I also enjoyed meeting the non-artists from our community and beyond who came to enjoy the varied works on display. Of course, I have never been one who was afraid of visiting with complete strangers, which is probably why I have done well in my previous life as a salesperson and customer service advocate the last thirty years. So it made for a fun evening with folks I know, and many I didn't!
I was proud to see the expressed interest in my photographs, and kicking myself for not having brought in more of them. But time constraints and recent financial situations kept me at four, and I knew I could always bring more in as time goes by. Baby steps!
But the crown jewel in my first ever artist reception evening was when the gallery owner took me aside and said, "I think the mayor is interested in one of your photos!" She was excited about that, and on hearing it, so was I! I had gone into this with no expectations of making a sale the same evening, and being as I love my works regardless of what anyone else might think of them, had already decided that it isn't about sales, it's about exposure, and getting my name out there. And more often than not, people who do enjoy your work will come back after the hullabaloo is over, another time, and make purchases then. But this was exciting news! I processed that possibility, and then went on with the mingling and schmoozing business.
"Sleeping Beast", 7x10 digital image -- SOLD!
A bit later, the mayor indeed returned, and I looked up to see him really looking at one of my favorite images, "Sleeping Beast". Since the gallery hadn't gotten their hanging rails up prior to the opening, my frames, being a bit heavier than most due to the materials, had been laid out on a flat surface with their tags affixed next to them. The mayor picked up the one he had decided on, and walked over to the sales counter to purchase it. I was so excited! I calmly (outwardly!) walked uo to join him at the counter, where Eileen was writing up the ticket for his purchase, and thanked him for his interest in my work. We then struck up a conversation (I should have been doing more of that through the evening, but the whole affair was new to me, and I spent a lot of time just taking it in and floating, haha!) He inquired a bit about the image, where it was shot, and so forth, and I shared with him a bit about my work.
He then shared with me about his family's farming background, and his son's current employment with an agricultural company. He purchased the image as a gift for his son, who has spent a lot of time in the cab of a similar John Deere combine, and told me about some of his son's adventures. I made sure Mr. Mayor had an extra business card to give to his son, and for both to keep me in mind if they know of anyone looking for an ag photographer. He then proceeded to ask if I'd be interested in accepting a commission to shoot some photos of his son at work in the field, for his own personal purchase, and I happily agreed! How exciting....I guess if you are going to make a sale, it might as well be to somebody with connections in the community and beyond!
"Grain Elevator, Lebanon IL", 8x10 digital image, framed and matted available for purchase at the gallery
That night, after we got home, I was still giddy inside, though I think I still kept my calm demeanor outwardly. (I did manage to smile a lot the rest of the evening, and even did a silly little happy dance on the sidewalk outside the gallery later!) We went to bed at our usual "old people" time, and everything seemed normal-- until I absolutely could not fall asleep. My mind was still too wound up from the exciting evening! I tried everything I had in my meditative toolbox. I eventually was able to go in and out of sleep the rest of the night, but I am pretty sure I laid there, or at least, tossed and turned, for at least the first two hours, not really sleeping at all.
So, here I am now, a few days later, writing my thank you notes, and continuing to get my Digital Darkroom back up and running (which, by the way, is nearly done, see my previous post about Death of a Digital Darkroom). But that is a subject for another time! This week, I am still walking about 6 inches off the ground with the memory and encouragement of that evening, my first artists' reception, and my first art sale ever! At least I came back down about a foot closer to Earth again.
"Winter Woods", 8x10 digital image, framed and matted print available for purchase at the gallery
I feel like only good things are coming my way. I feel that my affiliation with the gallery, and the sale to such a connected patron, are signs that I am on the right path. Even my husband has started to see that perhaps I am on the path I was always meant to be on, and he seems to be more supportive of my work than ever. he even suggested I should take some time to pursue helping out at the gallery, if they need it, and pursue my photography career, while we are in a financial spot to be able to do so. Just more signs added to those of the entire last two weeks.
I didn't lose my job at Cube World back on February 15; Cube World set me free, and set me on the path I was meant to be on. For that, and for all the valuable business lessons learned while under the tutelage of Cube World, I am ever grateful.
"Japanese Maple, 7:45 a.m.", 8x10 digital image, framed and matted available for purchase at the gallery
Right times, right places. Always.
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Interesting story about the gallery's logo: The design was taken from an architectural detail in the building outer facade. These old buildings on the Greenville square have some beautiful architectural details dating back to the town's youth over 150 years ago.
To learn more about Arts and Experience Gallery, click on their logo below!
