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| Photo Credit: Sito Colon |
I was so thrilled to hear that my longtime friend Valerie Phillips has opened a new art gallery in Mission Farms West in Overland Park, Kansas located here in the Kansas City area. Mission Farms is a perfect mixed use development with luxury condominiums, apartments, dining and shopping, as well as a great locale at 4020 Indian Creek Parkway. Please call for hours and additional information at 913-341-3483. The website for the gallery is www.GalleryVFineArts.com
She is carrying some amazing artists of several genres and continues to add art to the mix. Enjoy!
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| Ceramics by William Kidd |
1) Did you know from a young age that you wanted to
be in the gallery business?
The answer is actually "no." What I did
know; however, was that I wanted to be an artist as early as age five, not even
knowing quite what that meant...But, I learned early, the thrill of expressing
myself and creating something original that came from a unique internal place
that was all my own.
As a young adolescent, my parents took me to
a gallery show in my hometown. They had read about an artist's endeavor of
opening his own personal gallery, converting a run-down very historic building
into a restored new place of beauty to showcase his work. My parents introduced
me to the artist and staff as their daughter "the artist". As
we exchanged words about his art and gallery, the artist suggested, "Maybe
one day you'll have a gallery of your own!" That impression was my
first education and visual impression of an art gallery, which has always
remained in my memories.
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| Art Glass by Scott Gamble |
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| Cube Cup Luminaria by Michael Mikula |
2)
When did you realize that you wanted to open your own art
gallery?
About 5 years ago, as I was
entering into my eleventh year in the art gallery industry. What started as
merely a vision, but an explosive daydream about 20 years ago and not knowing
quite what to do with this powerful dream, later turned into an accidental
second career for me. Eventually, after managing 3 separate galleries over the
years, I found that all the stepping stones of my various professions in art,
design and sales, at last, had rounded out the experience I needed to step
forward into my own business. Then, the recurrent question from others of, "Is
this your gallery?" and "Why
haven't you started your own
gallery??" revealed what I took as "my sign" that "now" was the time. While I
had developed a scrapbook of "someday" ideas and sketches of my own gallery
space, it was the encouragement of my family, friends, mentors and clients who
nudged me to move forward with what I already had in passion, ideas and ability
to make my dream a reality!
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| Wood Sculptures and Vases by Gary Burditt |
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| Beth Cosner Custom Jewelry Designs |
3)
Have you had mentors or others that you admire in the art
world?
Yes, probably my art teachers more
than anything were the earliest and ongoing force who recognized and encouraged
the artistic "gifts" in me. I give equal, if not more importance, to my
kindergarten teacher as my greatest influencer as my college art professors.
Grade school through my adulthood, there were many, many influencers and mentors
who shaped me...They were the ones who thought outside the box and encouraged me
to
stretch - to not only learn, but also to
discover. I have tried to see
the gifts that each person who crosses my path has brought my way. I believe our
wonderful mix of personalities in this world is like a beautiful symphony. One
same note cannot compose a song! We were meant to "sing"
together!
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| Valerie with the Baby Grand Piano sitting in the Front Window Photo Credit: Sito Colon |
4) Who are some of
your favorite artists?
This is the toughest question,
because I consider art to span across many mediums or genres. I have an
affection for too many artists and too many art forms! I once heard, "When we
love something, we tend to love it too much!" I love the Classical music of
Tchaikovsky and Chopin, the ballets danced by Mikhail Baryshnikov to modern
dance and Cirque de Soleil; Andrea Bocelli, Dave Matthews, Aretha Franklin to
name a very small few. Picasso's woodcuts, abstract expressionism to street
art! Some of my favorite Old Masters are Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and
Rodin.
I would say that modern day
artist, Victoria Montesinos paints in a style that connects to my soul. She
paints in a surprising similarity of style as I discovered in my own art in
early college years!
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| Painting by Artist Salome |
5)
Will people be able to make purchases of art and artful accessories
online?
While we do not have online
payment arrangements available at this time, customers can contact the gallery
by phone (913-341-3483) or email us at: info@galleryvfinearts.com
to place art orders for pick up or
shipments.
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| Photo Credit: Sito Colon |
6)
What advice do you have for the budding entrepreneur at any
age?
Follow your dreams! Never give up.
Listen to your inner passions and detect your innate gifts. In doing so, every
day will be rewarding, even through the challenges. Each day is a joy to go to
work at the job you love. LIVE in your
ELEMENT!
As I was starting my business from
ground up, my famous quote was: "I never had
so much fun being so stressed
out!"
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| Metal Kinetic Wall Sculptures by Frank Strunk III |
7)
Are there any special events or artist features scheduled at Gallery V Fine Arts
in the near future?
We will have approximately 4 - 6
scheduled events throughout the year. Right now we are planning an event for
Cinco de Mayo and a Mother's Day special with larger scale showcased artist
events throughout the year. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and our website for
details at galleryvfinearts.com.
Thank you so much Valerie!
Thank you so much Valerie!
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| Art by Salome |
I don't know about you; however I am ready to get out and explore this spring. Art galleries like Gallery V Fine Arts are the perfect place to find new works of art for your home or even lovely and very special gifts for others! Please visit the gallery site www.galleryvfinearts.com. You can also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/galleryvfineart.
Thank you to my Friends, Family and Followers who Support The Arts.
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xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
