Wednesday, March 18, 2015

A New Gallery in Town: Gallery V Fine Arts

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!



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.



Art Glass by Scott Gamble


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!


Wood Sculptures and Vases by Gary Burditt





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!



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!


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.

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!"


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!

 
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.
Please leave a comment and also sign up for email alerts to receive my latest features!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

32 comments:

Mark D. Ruffner said...

I like that Valerie gives credit for inspiration to teachers from kindergarten to college. Your posting also reminds me that our lives can seem to take us in meandering directions, but eventually, if we're lucky and have the eyes to see, we can look back and realize that all the circumstances and experiences came together to one fine point that is right for us.

Paisley Curtain said...

It is not very often that we get to do in our life what we have dreamed as a child, fortunate few get to do that and they always excel.

Congratulations! to Valerie on the new gallery and a wish for all the success.

Gallery visit will be a must on the next trip to my beloved (ex-hometown) KC.

Best wishes

highheeledlife said...

Dearest Karena; what a lovely post - loved your interview and the beautiful photos you shared. The gallery and its offerings look brilliant. I especially needed to read the advice Valerie shared ...and i loved the her quote "I never had so much fun being so stressed out!" ... Blessings, Celia M. (HHL)

Pura Vida said...

I love when a new gallery opens

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Karena! You always usher us into a fine gallery of splendid art that truly impacts the senses....that orange bird, OH MY! So lovely! And thank you so much for coming over to visit. Yes, I am very excited about getting my book under way, and I will announce from time to time my progress! Wishing you a fantastic day! Anita

Kristen @ Pursuing Vintage said...

Looks like a lovely place! Some stunning work being shown there - love those wood sculptures and that flamingo painting!

peggybraswell said...

loved the interview with V. + looks like another wonderful place. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

The Buzz Blog said...

What a wonderful source for art of all kinds, Karena. We, too, are looking forward to getting out and doing things this spring as soon as the snow melts. We're suppose to get a couple of inches tomorrow, the first day of spring!
xxoo
C + C

Jennifer said...

Such a beautiful gallery! of course my eye slammed to a halt at that amazing jewelry case! You do lead the most interesting life!!
Enjoy your week>
xoxJennifer

LBDDiaries said...

It is probably a good thing I don't live near her gallery - I'd be shopping there all the time! Next time I'm in the area, I am going to go check out what she has - beautiful pictures!

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

WOW! This is one great gallery! I love all of the beautiful and unique pieces of art here.
Thank you for sharing!
Teresa
xoxo

Unknown said...

I love art galleries, as you well know, and this one looks exceptional! I love all the glass and sculpture. Wishing her tons of success and less stress! xo Nancy

missgiven said...

Very nice!

Decor To Adore said...

What a wonderful space Karena! It appears that the lovely owner has a truly wonderful eye.
Thank you so very much for your input on painting my front door. Alas, rain is predicted through Tuesday but it WILL eventually be done!
Have a lovely weekend!

Unknown said...

HI Karena and Happy Spring!!!

I love art, artists and galleries! So fun to know about this new one in KS! I'm sure some of our Kansas friends will be stopping by.

And, I totally agree...I am ready to get out and about more, now that Spring is starting to thaw us out up here on the East Coast. We are blessed to have great galleries in NYC and this is inspiring me to get out there and see more great art!

xoxo Elizabeth

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Karena.. great post and lovely gallery.

Leslie said...

Beautiful ceramics and glass! Thanks for sharing Karena. This looks like a wonderful gallery filled with lots of eye candy and inspiration. Seattle is fairly artsy;) and this is a reminder for me to venture out here in my own community! Enjoy your day:)

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

What a beautiful gallery and happy that your friend's dream came true..I love that she said that her mentors were her teachers, dating back to kindergarten...how wonderful....

Vel Criste said...

It's great to have a friend who owns a gallery, you'll get first dibs on all the new and most coveted art around!

Unknown said...

What colorful and fun pieces she has on display, Karena. The ceramic and glass pieces really capture my eye today. It's always interesting to hear about the process entrepreneurs go through in making their dreams come true. Excellent post!
xx, Heather
PS-wishing you a little time to unplug in the sunshine soon! ;)

designchic said...

What a wonderful interview - so fun when childhood dreams come true…love the art!

Christina Baker said...

What a great interview and feature of this beautiful gallery. Such a vibrant collection of art!

Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells said...

Gallery V Fine Arts have chosen an interesting and vibrant collection of artists to showcase. The glass metal and wood sculptures could definitely prise some money from my purse. Thank goodness I'm half a wold away! Bisous.

Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells said...

Gallery V Fine Arts have chosen an interesting and vibrant collection of artists to showcase. The glass metal and wood sculptures could definitely prise some money from my purse. Thank goodness I'm half a wold away! Bisous.

Burlap Luxe said...

Oh Karena, you must totally be in your art element here at your friends new gallery I know I sure would be. It's not so much our style that one should be judged on what they gravitate to, its what's soulfully in their spirit of creating that inspires them to breathe art and live it.

I could so see your art pieces hanging in her new art gallery and yes art art would also be a gift to her and her patrons. I am so into pottery right now, so that would impress and inspire me, as for the metal puff hearts so cool.
I could see her adding elaborate paper mâché Cartapesta pieces like angels, and bust's and pieces that move you to wonder and question how did this artist think and come up with that, those piece loft and studio in style that you just can't get off your mind.

I have been creating more In The art form of Cartapesta and loving where it takes my mind.
So wonderful that you have such a gallery of pieces that inspire, get busy girl get some of your art i. This gallery.
Thank you Karena for taking the time to visit me, and your comments always touch my heart, you my dear are a gift to my heart.
Happy Easter my dear friend.
See you soon.

Xx
Dore

Burlap Luxe said...

Please do a big feature post again on you, and the wonderful artist in you.

See you soon.
Xoxo
Dore

Fashion-isha said...

I love the painting by Salome! Thanks for your visits to my blog! I hope you're doing great!
xo
Sharon

therelishedroost said...

I love a new gallery opening! THere are so many talented people out there that we can learn so much from!

Woodside Park said...

Those glass pieces are divine - they look so luminous. Many congratulations to Valerie!! Wishing her much success.
Cheers

Jennifer @ Belclaire House said...

How wonderful! I will definitely have to pop in sometime soon!

franki durbin said...

You always do such lovely interviews, Karen! I love reading your posts! xoxo

Andrea said...

What a beautiful gallery! Congratulations to Valerie! I would love to visit!

XOXO,
The Glam Pad

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