'Where the Heart Finds Art' celebrates its 10th anniversary

Many art galleries come and go, so it's certainly a milestone that Wickwire Gallery in downtown Hendersonville will celebrate its 10th anniversary this month.

The gallery features new works of traditional, transitional and contemporary folk art. It offers original paintings, American handmade craft, handcrafted furniture, jewelry, photography and more. The gallery's goal is to sell artwork at affordable prices that also will provide a fair return to its artists.

Wickwire represents close to 350 artists, each of whom gallery owner Shirley Palmer-Hill works closely with to determine his or her niche and special talents.

"The level of creativity in our artists is constantly amazing," she says.

Palmer-Hill meets potential gallery artists at art shows, through other artists and via her customers. A committee of her gallery staff jury the art she considers for Wickwire.

"Our variety" and "our choices" are what Palmer-Hill feels sets the gallery apart from others. And those choices quickly become apparent when you walk into either of the two gallery locations - 329 and 330 N. Main St., Hendersonville.

From cards to stained glass, books full of photos from local mountain scenery to handcrafted jewelry - you're sure to find something that will catch your eye and connect with your spirit. The gallery even has a saying, that Wickwire is "where the heart finds art."

"The artists will put their heart and soul into it," Palmer-Hill says. "The customer has an emotional connection with the art. ... You fall in love with it."

Just as artists put their heart and soul into their art, it's evident Palmer-Hill puts hers into the thoughtfully arranged gallery.

Americana music floats through the air at the gallery at 330 N. Main. Sunlight streams through stained glass hanging from a window in the back, making the whole gallery bright. The gallery across the street is slightly more spacious and features larger-scale works of art.

Partnerships with artists, <0x000A>employees, the community

Palmer-Hill credits her partnership with artists and employees for her gallery's 10 years of success.

"The building of a business is a team effort," she says. "It's about the artists, the team here - all of us working together to provide the customers an education in the arts."

Palmer-Hill will celebrate Wickwire's 10-year anniversary Friday along with the folks who have helped Wickwire become and remain successful, especially her husband, Dave, and her sister, Linda Campanella.

A former social worker, Palmer-Hill is a people-person who enjoys working with her customers.

"I can't think of anything I would rather do than this," she says. "We just love the customers - we've gotten to know them over time."

Palmer-Hill herself is not an artist, but that doesn't mean art doesn't course through her veins.

"I grew up in a very artistic family," she says.

Her father, sister and grandmother were all artists.

"I felt like I really came home when I did this because my father was an artist - he died when I was a child - and to honor him, I took on the name Shirley Palmer-Hill," she says.

Wickwire is also involved in the community and has contributed to the arts.

"We're very community-focused," Palmer-Hill says. "We give an art scholarship."

The $500 annual scholarship is presented to a local high school senior planning to pursue further study in an art.

Palmer-Hill's involvement in the art world also includes serving as former president of the board of Downtown Hendersonville Inc., a member of the Henderson County Arts Council board, a Craft Retailers Association member and a charter member of the newly-formed Gallery Guild of Henderson County.

Wickwire Gallery participates in the First Friday Gallery Walks held each month in Hendersonville. During gallery walks, Wickwire generally features artists who demonstrate their crafts for visitors to watch and learn.

"We are very much about art education," Palmer-Hill explains.

The gallery typically features an art show in August. This year the gallery will feature "Chasing the Light," with artists Lenore Barnett, Jane Desonier and Colleen Webster throughout the month of August, with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at 329 N. Main.

Wickwire will hold the gallery's ninth annual City of Four Seasons juried art show "Connemara Visions" in October. (Deadline for submission is Sept. 17).

Where it all began

Barbara (Smith) Wickwire opened Wickwire Gallery in May 1998. While Palmer-Hill was finishing her master's of public health degree, she stumbled upon the gallery, which was originally located at 423 N. Main St.

"I walked into that gallery and I was in awe over the quality that I saw," Palmer-Hill says.

After talking to Wickwire, Palmer-Hill discovered that the former owner was looking for a partner. After discussing it, the two decided to go into business together in April 1999. In May, they moved the business to 330 N. Main St. Wickwire left the business in 2000.

Seeing the need for a space to display larger pieces of art, Palmer-Hill opened in a second location across the street at 329 N. Main St. in October 2004. Between the two locations, the gallery features 3,700 square feet of art.

What does the future hold for Wickwire?

Palmer-Hill wants to continue attracting art lovers to Henderson County via the Gallery Guild of Henderson County and the Arts Council. And she intends to focus on the options she gives her clients.

"Offering customers multiple ways of buying, to keep connecting with the community," Palmer-Hill says. "We really do want to offer those choices so people can make a decision about art that they can relate to personally."

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Wickwire's 10th anniversary celebration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and will feature live music, surprise drawings, refreshments and a chance to meet the artists. Wickwire, 329 and 330 N. Main St., Hendersonville, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdaysand from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. It has an online gallery at www.wickwireartgallery.com.

Lancaster can be reached at lindsay.lancaster@blueridgenow.com.