Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Creative Expressions Art Gallery

creative-expressions mequon-wisconsin outdoor-wednesday
This will be my most unique Outdoor Wednesday post yet!

September and October have been a fascinating time for me. My friend Minnie Bhupathi is opening "Creative Expressions", an art studio and gallery in Mequon, Wisconsin. The Grand Opening reception is Thursday, October 22, 2009. For the last months I got to have the unbelievable opportunity to watch, experience, and be the sounding board as a gallery and art instruction space got created "from scratch".

The amount of steps in starting a gallery is incredible. Ideas float in the mind - but footwork is involved in reviewing rental locations. I only got to hear highlights of rental contracts and negotiations (I can't say I really missed the many meetings with lawyers, accountants, and landlords that had to be done.) Permits and paperwork were handled. When Minnie showed me the space she had rented I was wowed - These ideas were concrete! (and asphalt! This rental space has plenty of parking...)

Then work on the space began. Scott Kostuch is a contractor extraordinaire. His job was to transform the space - floors, walls, ceiling, lighting, plumbing and more. He tackled the job with great skill. (Of course Scott didn't do all the work by himself. Scott even had his son help him when more power was needed.)
The ideas became more defining and refined. The space evolved.

Minnie got to shop, and shop, and shop. I got to tease Minnie - she had 187 cartons delivered from one store alone. Not 187 items, 187 boxes. I got to unpack a couple, but Scott got to unpack many more! Paint colors - even white can be so time consuming. [Question: How many white paints are there?] Costco and other stores had four hour shopping trips. Opening this gallery should be great for both the local and national economy.

I got to be the "fly on the wall" while she met with artists to teach the art classes and display in the first gallery show. (I hope I was never a bug, I know I wasn't always invisible). Scott came in one Saturday to install a portion of the floor for Minnie. She was meeting artists at the gallery and wanted them to see the space - but to see it with a sample of the floor installed, not the concrete.

Minnie created fliers and postcards, contracts and more. She had hundreds of e-mails and phone calls to artists and other contacts. I got to help edit a contract or two, but Minnie had to research, write, find and create every document needed (or direct it's creation). She directed the creation of not one but two web sites that w
ere started, changed, and evolved. She had to set up phone lines, Internet, fax machines, copiers, (OK, her husband helped, a lot, but still.) She researched inventory systems and computer systems for sales, got them installed, set up, and running.

Minnie and her husband have an expression something like 'We don't want any paralysis by analysis.' But it seems more like a magic tornado blew through and got things done. There were many details that each took more steps then there are hours in a day. (ex. signage for outside, gallery hanging systems, publicity)

Then the art streamed in (via individual meetings with each artist, and deliveries). I got to hang one of my pieces as the first artwork on the wall. (Thank You Minnie!) Minnie (and her husband) tackled the task of hanging, labeling, and inventorying each piece of artwork. She found a retired museum curator to help her determine ideas for hanging the art. I know the amount of angst I have in hanging artwork on my walls at home, imagine hanging more than 50 pieces.

The last several months I got to see the behind the scenes of a dream fantasy of many artsy types. And now I get to share it with you. Those in Wisconsin can attend the opening. Those farther away - I'll be sure to have photos.

The Grand Opening is on :
Thursday night, October 22, 2009.

5:00-9:00 PM

Creative Expressions

11412 N. Port Washington Road

Mequon, Wisconsin.

(One stoplight North of the Mequon and Port Washington Road intersection)


After the opening, the gallery will be open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 11 AM to 6 PM.
Please stop in.

jeanne-selep-mequon-wisconsin-winter-snow
For those who would like to see some of the art and artists that will be featured in the gallery, visit http://creativeexpressionsart.com and Click on artists. All art displayed will be available for purchase through the website.

For those who would like to take an art class at Creative Expressions, visit http://creativeexpressionsart.com Click on Events, Classes.
More classes will be listed soon, check back!


Learn more about Outdoor Wednesday by clicking here:


http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

29 comments:

dianasfaria.com said...

this is so exciting, would you believe it makes me want to open up a gallery?

Regina said...

Great outdoor post.

Barbara Jean said...

I love the colors in that fall colored leaves art.

Thanks for coming by to visit and for leaving a comment.
blessings
barbara jean

Kat said...

This is so exciting! I'm always thrilled to see a new art space open. DH has worked for an artist/gallery owner for many, many years now. I know the amount of work that went into this. Congrats on having the first work hung. Good luck to your friend and to you! Kathy

Martha said...

How wonderful for your friend. And it must have been interesting for you to see it "planted and soon to bloom"!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Congratulations to Minnie!

Wonderful ODW post!

Hootin Anni said...

Wow....so very impressive!!!


Mine today is the Annual Jazz Festival in town. Come by if you can. CLICK HERE

Have a glorious Wednesday.

the wild raspberry said...

congratulations and best of luck...love that winter scene~beautiful!

chasity

Shirley said...

Best of luck to your friend. I love the fall leaves. Very pretty.

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

What an exciting time. Congratulations and I hope your grand opening tonight is a huge success. I bet you are nervous.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What a dream come true this must have been for your friend Minnie! It's so nice you were able to help with the organization. I wish her much success in this new endeavor. If I lived closer I would visit, but I'll do the next best thing and I'll look at the web site.

Mary Bergfeld said...

What an exciting time this must have been for all of you. Your photos are great. Have a wonderful week and enjoy Outdoor Wednesday.

LV said...

Construction work is never easy, but the outcome makes it worthwhile. I love art work and these are great. Thanks for visiting.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Congratulations to your friend. Sounds like it is going to be a great place.

Sylvia K said...

A great post! And how exciting to be able to be involved with such a creative endeavor! Congratulations to your friend and I know this will a wonderful place to enjoy art, take classes, spend time. Your photos are marvelous!
Thanks for a fun visit and tour!

Enjoy the day!

Sylvia

photowannabe said...

A lot of work but oh so satisfying. Best of luck to your friend and the wonderful gallery.

Joy said...

What a great adventure, looks like a great space from the outside. Good luck to you and your friend on Thursday.

Ms. Bake-it said...

How exciting this must be for your friend! Your photos are great! Best of luck to your friend and her new gallery.

~ Tracy

Charlene said...

What a great experience & oppertunity to be involved with this great undertaking. I am wishing both you & Millie success in this venture. I wish I lived closer & I would sign up for Photography classes since I just got a brand new SLR camera. Also, I would love to do some jewelry pieces for her gallery someday. Thank you for visting Ms Reba & I for Outdoor Wednesday.

Blue Creek Home said...

Congratulations on the gallery opening tomorrow. You are going to be the "belle of the ball".
And I was thrilled when I read a comment about my photos being good, and then discovering that it came from a real photographer! Felt good...thanks.
Rhonda

Carly said...

Opening the boutique looks like a lot of work, but well worth it! Beautiful pictures!

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is so exciting!!! We can't make the opening tomorrow night...but will definitely stop in another time. Congrats!!

-mary langford

Ebie said...

Congratulations to your friend's business endeavor. Lot of hard work, including licenses!

This a well framed art!

Tumblewords: said...

How exciting! Good luck - your artwork is luscious.

Roger Owen Green said...

very exciting time, and possibly a little tiring as well.

teresa said...

Wow! Sounds like their dream taking shape. That is so nice to hear about.

Carla said...

Fun fun fun!!! Love your work:)

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE the leaf art!!!

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