Art Trails

ART ON THE MOVE

Article and photos by Anne Jenkins

The gallery is the bottom right hand corner space - a 1814 building, still has original moldings around fireplace

I believe owning and running an art gallery takes a certain amount of craziness. Moving that gallery to another state, takes crazy to higher level. I'm pretty much a professional mover having lived in about eight countries, and this is my third continent with umpteen moves in most of them. But I've never moved a gallery and thought it was, "just moving as usual." Well, it takes a bit more planning than that really, which is not my biggest strength.

I was delighted when Lee took a position in Milford, Delaware for a number of reasons. It's only 6 miles from the sea, which is always an inspiration and has a calming influence on me, but more importantly, it's a really buzzy little art town on the rise. I'm sure it'll soon be listed in the top 100 small art towns in the U.S.A. This is a perfect time to move there and get established.

View from the entrance looking back to the studio - day one - a big pile in the middle

My gallery in Georgia had been running successfully for 5 years, although the past year was slow (no surprise and I'm not alone in this situation) but I felt I needed to stretch myself and my art more. The thought of the sea so close - not to mention major metropolitan areas close by - and the fact the delightful town already has two galleries and about 7 or 8 working studios made the move an easy decision.

Now to sort out the mess and find a place for it all ... OMG as they say these days

I was extremely fortunate to find a space close to the main center of town and within a couple of minutes walk from the other galleries when we visited before moving. It's quite a bit smaller than my old gallery and studio space which fitted my plan to concentrate this gallery on me. "It's all about me" is my new motto. "Perfect," I thought and fantasized about my new snug studio with me creating away and sipping rooibos tea on a snowy winter's day. I have to think good thoughts about this - normally I am a tropical sun kinda gal.

Placed protective carpets on the floor in studio.

So, back to the packing. A kind artist friend had tons of packing cases and said to help myself. It worked a treat to pack up a couple of paintings at a time - light to handle, all protected and labeled with marker pen. ‘This is easy!' I thought happily. It's all so tidy. And then I started to pack my stuff.

Unpacking some paintings

Sketches and unused watercolor papers went in to my portfolio cases. Since I don't particularly like painting in watercolor I had no idea I had so many. Then there is a whole box of sponges. Masking tape. Clamps. Strong lights. Rope for something. Burlap, lots of burlap. Practically empty tubes of paint. Plastic bottles of paint. Rags. Aprons. Easels. Watercolor stretching boards. Watercolor painting boards. Credit cards machines. Writing pads. Pens and pencils to sink a battle ship. Spare canvases. Wooden panels. An avalanche of business records. This is guilt making - I must have killed a forest. How did I get to have so much stuff?

Office area being approved by Geordie the gallery greeter

I dumped it all in to various boxes, wire shelving units, plastic containers and anything hollow that got in the way. Some got labeled, others terrorized me in to just writing "studio stuff" on the box. It was all loaded on to the moving truck at the end of May. And unloaded at the other end in a pile slap bang in the center of the new gallery space.

I happily unlocked the door a few days later to start sorting it out. And that was when I finally realized how much smaller the studio space is, and how much neater I will have to be. This is a major challenge in my life. I was a born a pig pen.

The feet are on a couple of dark shutter to hide the restroom & display light paintings

I just love the new studio and gallery. It's in a historic building and has a nice soft light and a very happy feel. In fact, I love the whole town. I look forward to walks on the beach which will shore up my creative spirit. So what if I have no idea where some things are now or what container they're lurking in. I am most content and actually looking forward to creating and watching snow drift by in winter as I sip my rooibos tea!

But before I do that I have to get the business license, liability insurance, local bank accounts and what else? Oh yes, new business cards, promotional material and signage … and … and - where's the time to create?

The all important plastic sink for the studio waits to be installed.

It might not be perfectly arranged for a while but it will get there. And then I can start exploring my new neighbors - like well-known artist, Scott Angeluggi, in his wood work and stained glass studio and the talented artists in the lofts above including Joan Frense-Mulholland, dubbed "the pearl lady." Then there's the very active gallery and workshop space of the Mispillion Art League right opposite the music school and the River Front Theater. There are two cool Bed & Breakfasts with fun eateries, like The Victorian Lady tea room and Dolce's coffee shop, nearby --- I hope we'll all promote each other, work together and I'm hoping to start a Milford Art Ramble.

My walking beach - Slaughter Beach is 6 miles from town where horse shoe crabs spawn and migrating birds feast

Don't wait a long while to come see my new gallery and studio at 127 NW Front Street in Milford, Delaware - the up and coming art town! Come on over and join the fun and excitement. If the "closed sign" happens to be up, come join me on the beach for an inspirational stroll.

BUSINESS INFORMATION :

http://annejenkinsart.com

http://downtownmilford.org

Click to learn about Anne Jenkins