Feature Articles


August Issue 2002

Here's a Carolina Arts Update! 7/22/05

erl originals gallery in Winston-Salem, NC, is now closed. The following is no reflection on the artist(s) mentioned in this article. They still deserve the historical fact that this exhibition happened.

Here is an excerpt from an article in the Winston-Salem Journal's Dec. 10, 2004, edition: "In late September, (2004) erl's owners, Peter and Lee Swenson, and the company they operate, Bogart Management Group, were foreclosed on by their bank. They were barred from their gallery at 480 West End Blvd. for being months in arrears on rent and utilities. Peter Swenson is facing numerous tax-fraud charges, as well as a growing number of civil lawsuits filed by creditors seeking to collect payments they say are long overdue".

erl originals to Open at New Location In Historic West End District, Winston-Salem, NC, in Sept., 2002

erl originals, one of the foremost art galleries in the Southeast specializing in a wide variety of original art and crafts, is moving at the end of Aug. to 480 West End Boulevard in Winston-Salem's historic West End District. Robert Harper, nationally known ASID designer, owns the building, which houses his design business, Reynolda Galleries Ltd. He will continue to operate in the same location alongside erl. According to Harper, who considers erl to be a good addition to the neighborhood, he does not require as much retail space due to his volume of out-of-town business.

"We're really looking forward to being part of this area," says Peter Swenson, erl president. "This historic building, with its high ceilings and hardwood floors, fits the look we want for our gallery, and we like the eclectic nature of the shops in West End. Not only will this location give us much greater visibility, but it also puts us closer to downtown and the exciting revitalization program that's underway. We believe it's going to be an ideal location for us."

Special features in the new 4,000-foot gallery will include: hardwood floors throughout; 20-foot high ceilings with special lighting; a featured show exhibit area for displaying paintings and three-dimensional objects; designated areas for displaying glass, pottery and sculpture; a showcase section which features hand-crafted jewelry; a whimsical section with distinctive one-of-a-kind items by well-known artists, such as hand-painted textiles and furniture; and ample parking, particularly important when hosting receptions for artists.

The erl name will be displayed prominently on the terracotta-painted stucco building, located across from Hanes Park. Built in 1929 with a Southwest motif, it first housed a gas station followed by a series of retail stores.

erl will close its current location at 3069 Trenwest Drive on Aug. 28, and reopen at the new West End location on Sept. 4. In anticipation of the move, the gallery will hold a summer sale Aug. 1 - 17. A special opening is being planned for early fall.

Peter and Lee Swenson purchased erl in 1996 from Linda Lyon Turner, who founded the successful gallery in 1979, representing 20 North Carolina artists. Today, erl, which represents 300 artists from across the United States, offers a diverse collection of more than 1,200 paintings as well as glass, hand-crafted pottery, jewelry and sculpture plus an extensive library of images. The gallery, staffed by six professionals, provides clients - ranging from individual collectors to small businesses, corporations and designers throughout the Southeast - with personalized art consulting services, art placement and commissioned works.

For more information about erl originals, contact Peter and Lee Swenson at 336/760-4373 or view the gallery's website at (www.erloriginals.com).

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