Collecting Art – The Intangible Moment of Looking at Something and Falling in Love – Part Four

The Twenty-Seventh Musing

The fourth and final part of this series of musings about art collectors and artists ties it all together by focusing on the role of the gallery in providing the final step that completes the synergistic effect found when merging artists with art collectors and how the total of this experience is greater than the sum of its parts. Synergy is a combined interaction greater than the sum of its separate parts – it means ‘stronger together’.

Debbie Smith, owner of The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing for the past twenty-six years, speaks of the founding of the business almost thirty-seven years ago by her mother, Polly, and her Father, Sig. The business was mainly in the framing of art.

She adds that when it was time for the thirty-fifth anniversary celebration of the founding of the business, she decided that the time had come to celebrate by moving ahead in the additional direction of becoming a prime gallery for the exhibition of art created by local artists. She says, “It was right after Covid and the fact that our small local business had survived led me to want to see it also thrive and move forward. I knew many local artists and I wanted to put local art and artists forward so I rebranded the business in this way.” And that is how Debbie’s motto of putting artists forward in her business began and the result was that an already successful small business grew at an exponential speed.

A large part of the success of this new focus in her business is Debbie’s innate ability to understand the proclivity of her clients in their search for art. “It comes from the gut – I do a lot of things based on the feelings I get from my clients and in speaking with them. I often note a particular trend in the likes and interests of returning clients and steer them in the direction of art and artists that speak to them. With a new client I try to hone in on what it is about a piece that speaks directly to them. It is important to facilitate the conversation that the person is having with a piece of art and assist in putting into words what it is they are feeling.” After a time, Debbie will also point out other pieces that complement a client’s given choice. Debbie assists in providing this as an expression of who we are while defining a moment in time in our life through art that speaks personally to each of us.

What separates The Smith Gallery from other similar businesses is the vision and attention to detail in listening and understanding a client’s needs and artistic preferences. Design, especially in framing, is a vital part of the details that clients are wanting, whether they have an idea already in mind or have come to the gallery seeking ideas and options for their living space. The designing of the framework becomes a part of the synergy created when a beautiful piece of art finds the perfect framing composition.

A very important part of The Gallery’s vision in the world of art is the eclectic mix of artwork always available to clients. Walking into The Gallery you are immediately immersed in the beauty and energy of various colors, styles, and mediums of art. It is a feast for the eyes and allows one to walk the various rooms and find favorite pieces and chat with Debbie and staff about the artists, their styles, and vision. This allows one to gain a better understanding of why a certain style or subject matter speaks to the soul and personality of you, the viewer.

The blending of music and art at exhibition openings adds another layer to the enrichment of viewing art. Often a certain piece of music being performed intensifies feelings to a certain piece of art or art style. This is something that can happen in your own home as you listen to various styles of music while enjoying your art and evoking those deep feelings.

The Gallery is never static, it changes constantly with the addition of new art and artists and the new addition of 3D art in the form of sculpture.  Debbie knows that the addition of sculpture has added a new breadth to the gallery and she firmly believes in always moving forward with new ideas and art and bringing a sense of vitality and excitement to those who come into The Gallery.

Another way synergy exists in the gallery itself is through the team who works there. The Smith Gallery has a team of artistic personnel, each having a specific talent in the art world; restoration, framing, carpentry, curating, art history, videography, giclee production, and engraving, who work together to ensure you receive the best information, service, and advice available. As Debbie states, “We are all Designing Women.”

Debbie, who is an avid art collector and whose partner is an artist, is able to speak to clients in depth about the work of an artist, their particular style and technique, and what it is about a piece of art that makes it so special to the owner. Her extensive collection speaks to her eclectic style and her ability to arrange many mediums and styles into a cohesive arrangement that speaks to the viewer.

Nancy Riggs is a carpenter by trade but also a seamstress, artist, and craftsperson. She has also enjoyed the opportunity of teaching the younger staff members various skills that may end up being lost if not passed on.

Nancy is an art collector and has quite a collection of local artists including a large commissioned painting of poppies by Sten, that hangs over her sofa. Nancy speaks to the ability of seeing something new in your art every day, whether it is the time of day, the lighting, or your emotional state at the time. The art always speaks to you in many different voices.

Mallory Shelley, is an artist in her own right, working in acrylic and graphite.  She loves curating various walls in the gallery as it gives her an opportunity to show clients how easy it is to mix artists, art styles and colors in both artworks and sculptures into a cohesive grouping that could be replicated for anyone’s home space.  Mallory has a way of showing clients the endless possibilities of mixing traditional, plein air, and abstract, and various colors and mediums, into a cohesive style that can work in any space.

Mariah Cook’s specialty is in all things technical with the design work for the website, logos, exhibitions, prints, presentations, and art software. Mariah has become a collector in her own right by purchasing a large painting entitled Day’s End by Peg Belcastro. She was drawn to this particular piece of art the moment it arrived at the Gallery. Mariah is a transplant to PA and the trees in this painting spoke to the forested areas of her new home here. When she found out that Peg had finished the painting the day Mariah’s daughter, Claire, was born, she knew that she had to have this piece of art as not only did it speak to her but it also had a very significant meaning to her. Sometimes an art collection starts with something as personal and meaningful as holding a moment in time.

Chelsea Heydt, a graphic designer, who has created art as a living, is the newest employee at the Gallery. As a tactile person, Chelsea enjoys working with framing and fitting glass, anything that allows her to work with her hands. She sees herself as always being involved in an artistic pursuit as she loves the inspiration opened up to her and the many different avenues of art that are available to her. This encourages her to practice her creativity outside of her work environment.

Art speaks to all of us in different ways and can make us better people. And a beautiful part of this is that often it is art that brings down the barriers between people allowing people of all backgrounds to come together and find a common ground for conversation and congeniality. Art can be something to sooth us and something to lift us.

This is an invitation to spend time in The Gallery, finding art that speaks to you, talking with artists and the staff and feeling that synergy that occurs amongst artists, art lovers, and gallerists.

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Our next exhibition for the Open Studio of the Art Association of Harrisburg beings this Thursday, October 10th!

The Smith Gallery offers services to customers for in-home consultations on art and furniture placement to assist you in exhibiting your collection in a pleasing and cohesive style. The Smith Gallery can also work with customers to procure an artist for a piece you would like to commission for your collection. Stop by the gallery, email Debbie@FineArt2U, or call 717-774-4301 to set up an appointment.

Visit The Smith Gallery to view more art by the artists shown in this musing, and many other talented artists whose works are also featured.  View the YouTube channel ArtTalks2u for The Smith Gallery Artists Talks with many of the artists exhibiting in The Gallery.  Make sure to follow The Smith Gallery on their Facebook page The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing and online at FineArt2U.com to make sure you don’t miss any upcoming events.

The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing has added a new feature to their website. In honor of their 37^th anniversary in business, you can now shop for art in their online gallery, https://www.smithcustomframing.com/shop-art/ . If you are hungry for local art and it is late at night or a Sunday afternoon, just click on this link and replenish your joy of viewing amazing artwork!