Creating a Gallery Space

Wendie Donabie ♦ May 22, 2018 ♦ 2 Comments

Last summer my husband and I purchased an old home in our neighbourhood. Built in the early 1920s, it had the traditional set up of a rectangular living room and dining room running along one side of the main floor with the kitchen and staircase to upstairs on the opposite side. Upstairs there we have one large and two small bedrooms and a bathroom.

At some point in its history, probably in the 90s, a two-story extension was added to the back of the house creating a family room, laundry room and small bathroom on the main floor and another bedroom with ante room above it.

We knew the family room would be our main space for spending time and entertaining and decided the formal living room could be converted into a small gallery with an entry off the sun porch at the front of the house.

Living Room

Sun Porch

The normal entrance into our home is off the family room at the side of the house. With our winters, the main entrance through the sun porch isn’t practical. Too much snow and a resulting slippery stone walkway leading up to the front door. But as an entrance to a gallery and retail space, it’s perfect for the summer tourist season when it would be busiest.

Entry to Sun porch and main entrance to house.

The sun porch offers a lovely entry that will be filled with the beautiful stained glass creations of fellow artist,  Maureen Haines (Log Cabin Glass Studio). Her colourful work will be a cheerful welcome to visitors.

          Native Rainbow, Stained Glass and Lead, 28″ x 21″           Copyright Maureen Haines

Once inside, paintings by Micheal Zarowsky (website) and I (website) will be found in the actual gallery space, along with a selection of artisan designed wood furniture by Conel O’Regan (Happenstance Design Studio)

 Infinity Rings, Autumn, Watercolour &  Acrylic on Birch Panel, 12″ x 12″     Copyright Micheal Zaworksy

Soaring, Oil on Canvas, 20″ x 16″             Copyright Wendie Donabie

Cherry Wood Table with Beech & Ironwood Legs , 81″ L x 17″W x 23″H,     Conel O’Regan

Maureen’s exceptional stained glass designs shimmer with colour and magic. You must see Conel’s one-of-a-kind artisan furniture to truly appreciate the fine workmanship. Micheal’s special technique working with watercolour and acrylic paint on birch panels produces paintings alive with movement and light. Wendie’s paintings reflect her love of nature and concern for the environment.

Collaborative art displays and shops such as this can prove more successful than an artist going it alone. Potential buyers are presented with a variety of work to view and find that special item they must have.

In addition, I’ll be cross promoting with other artists in the area. Do you remember how staff  at Macy’s in the movie, Miracle of 34th Street sent customers to Gimbles Department Store because they didn’t have what the customer was looking for? Well, I see art the same way. All art doesn’t appeal to all people. So, why not help each other out.  If visitors don’t find something at Heron’s Nest, I’ll be providing them with information on several other studios for them to visit.