Art and Antique Studio Gallery History
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| Therese Ferguson, founder, had a studio in the back half of what is now the Art & Antique Studio, a fine art gallery. When the front room became vacant, in 2004, friends, artists and the landlord encouraged her to open a gallery. Not willing to undergo this completely on her own, she asked other friends if they would be interested in putting together a co-op gallery. Without hesitation, they all came on board and several are still members today. Therese was in the process of working on her class reunion from Eau Gallie High School class of 1970 at the time and told one of her classmates, Debbie Bowes McElwain, about the upcoming plans and asked her if she would like to join and bring some of her antiques into the gallery. It would give it a nice cozy setting to display art around the furniture and glass pieces, more like your home would look. We wanted the gallery to be different from the traditional white walls and big open spaces where a painting looks great, but completely different on your walls at home. |
Therese Ferguson, President and Founder |
2006 Members |
We also wanted it to be a working studio where our artists could work and create at the same time as well as be able to teach classes. As artists we are always visiting other galleries as we travel and love the ones where you have the opportunity to meet the artists and have the opportunity to see what they are working on. Quite often these pieces sell before they are finished because a client stops and watches and then builds a close connection to the artist. We love the opportunity to share with others our talents and thought processes in our creations. |
There was a lot of work to be done, carpeting ripped out and walls had to be painted. Therese brought in dark alpine green paint, everyone said she was nuts, but the color soon became a favorite since it really showed off the artwork beautifully. The painted koi pond floor which has become our trademark and a favorite of everyone who visits the gallery started as a joke. We were trying to decide what to do with the glue covered floor that was left when the old carpeting was pulled up. But the more we joked about it, the more we liked the idea; after all we are all a bunch of artists, right? Several days of scooting around on our knees and coats of polyurethane later, we had a very unique floor.
Shortly before our opening on July 2, 2004, Barbara May Smythers and Paul Ero joined the gallery. |
Painting the floor during the renovation. |
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One of our favorite events at the gallery was an afternoon tea, where gallery members decorated several tables around the gallery and served tea and desserts to our guests who were able to take home their special tea cups. We have sponsored youth artists inviting them to be featured and experience a gallery opening, as well as sponsor an award at the Eau Gallie ArtWorks Art Festival. Our award also includes a show at the gallery. |
We feature a special artist or group every month with opening receptions the First Friday of every month from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. This is part of the monthly First Friday Art Walk on Highland Ave. Music usually starts by 5:30 and continues till the crowds stop. Galleries and shops in the Art District are open for guests to browse their stores. Many of the galleries put out nice refreshments for the evening.
During the last couple of years, we have showcased artists, Vicki Busby, Jeanette Drake, Pat Hemphill, the Brevard Porcelain Artists, Horsecreek Pottery, Bobbie Brown, Karen Lewis, Sharon Earl Burridge and Chris Pontello. As well as artwork by our members, the Gallery showcases the work of stained glass artist Sharon Earl Burridge, jewelry by Chris Alvar and Sherry Rogers, and Miami artist Heather Molans. Sea glass jewelry by Lynn Brezina, pottery by Anne White Scruggs and Linda Noble. RAKU pottery by Rudy Pacarro and fibre art and quilts by Dij Pacarro, and handmade soaps by Penny Shellhorn. |
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| Founding members included Therese Payne Ferguson, Debbie Bowes McElwain, Georgio Dianne Coursey, Beverly Pinyerd, Andy Mize, Joanne Gardner, Chris Current, Donna Gensler and Joyce Warner. |
To meet our current artists, please visit our Meet Our Artists page. |
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