October Issue 2000
Waterfront Gallery Moves to New Location
in Charleston, SC
Waterfront Gallery is thrilled
to announce their move to their brand new gallery space at 215
East Bay in the Maritime Building, across from the US Customs
House and near the corner of East Bay and Market Streets in Charleston,
SC. A Grand Opening reception will be held on Nov. 10.
About a year ago, the building that had been home to Waterfront Gallery for the past five years, was purchased by Hospitality Management Group (owners of Blossom's and Magnolia's Restaurants). The gallery artists agreed to relocate to the Maritime Building, and Tom Parsell, owner of HMG, agreed to up-fit the new space to the artists specifications. After a year of hard work by artists, architects, contractors, and Parsell, the new gallery was finally ready for occupancy early in Sept.
Over a year in the design and construction process, this new gallery, designed by LS3P is an impressive showcase for the artist-owners of this gallery. Over 3000 square feet in size, the gallery features state of the art gallery lighting, hardwood floors throughout, a viewing room, moveable walls to allow for any number of re-configurations all set in warm tan earthtones. This new design retains the features that made Waterfront Gallery so popular. Each artist is still presented in their own separate viewing area, the gallery features original artwork in a variety of media as well as reproductions. The artist-owners also work in the gallery and will often be found painting in the space.
The history of the gallery is as follows: In May of 1995, a small group of Charleston artists, former members of Gallery 12, having lost their lease at their former location decided to open a new co-op gallery in an available space at 167 East Bay. Because the space was so large additional artists, several from out of the Charleston area, were accepted for membership in this new business venture. These original 21 artists took a leap of faith, coughed up some cash, and decided the Charleston art market was worth the investment of time and money. To keep costs down, most of the original artists spent the summer of 1995 in the gallery painting, scraping and sanding walls, building partitions, and getting the gallery ready for opening in July of that year.
It turned out to be a unique group with many artists or their spouses bringing additional and special talents into the mix. Of the original artists, fifteen are still members of the gallery: Sudie Daves, Joann Davis, Dixie Dugan, Victoria Platt Ellis, Joanne Evans, Claire Farrell, Margaret Hoybach, Michael Kennedy, Daryl Knox, Mott Kornahrens, Morgan Kuhn, Chris Ritsch, Carroll Rivers, Amelia Rose Smith, and Karen Weihs.
During the first couple of years of business, several artists dropped out of the gallery, with others taking their place These newer members include Angela Bradburn, Susan Colwell, Bob Graham, and Karen Vournakis. Best of all, the friendships made and the willingness of each artist to pull his or her own weight has made this gallery unique. Since early 1997, the 19 gallery artists have remained the constant with no one leaving the gallery. That in itself is a testimony to the success of Waterfront Gallery.
During the first year of business the original
artists realized that being both artist and gallery owner was
too big a job for the member-artists. Catherine Webb and Anne
Thomas were hired as business and sales managers, taking over
much of the day to day business of the gallery. Additionally,
Pete Hoybach, whose wife, Maggie, was one of the founding artists,
agreed to serve as bookkeeper and business advisor. This team
really made the gallery work and freed up the artists to make
art. Additionally a list of qualified substitute sales personnel
work for the gallery on an as-needed basis, with each artist taking
two or three work shifts a month. It is a system that has really
worked for Waterfront Gallery and will continue to work as the
gallery looks forward to their future years.
Phenomenally successful from the beginning, Waterfront's huge
success played a big part in drawing so many other art galleries
to the French Quarter area, which now boasts over 30 galleries,
more than twice the number in 1995. Combined with all the other
new galleries which have open during the last five years, Charleston
is becoming internationally known as an art center.
The members of Waterfront Gallery are thrilled about showing their work in this new upscale space and invite you to come see what they have managed to achieve working together to bring you Charleston's finest and largest art gallery.
The artists invite everyone to attend the Grand Opening reception on Nov. 10, catered by Chef Donald Barickman, of Magnolia's Restaurant.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings or call the gallery at 843/722-1155.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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Carolina Arts
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