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by Mark Kelso
But for the last year, people have been rediscovering the blue building as the Gulfport Galleria of Fine Art. Recently, GGFA members hosted a first-year anniversary celebration. The gala was a standing-room-only success. “We are a year into this and going strong,” said co-founder Mary Anne Barkley. “The public has been very supportive, and our artists have come together nicely.” The Galleria, which limits itself to forty members, provides a convenient location for locals and tourists to buy original art created by area artists. Artwork includes traditional paintings and formal photographs, fanciful metal sculptures, bronze and alabaster pieces, ceramics, and hand-fired pottery. Wood-turned bowls made from Katrina-downed trees, books written by Coast authors, jewelry crafted by local artisans, as well as affordable prints and gift cards contribute to the eclectic assortment. All of it is available at the lowest possible prices because the Galleria is organized as a cooperative. Members contribute each month toward operating expenses and take turns staffing the gallery. In return, no commission is taken on sales. “It’s so expensive if you put your things in other shops,” Barkley said. “They usually charge the artist forty or even fifty percent of each sale they make. Here, you pay a flat fee, and keep 100% of what you make.”
But in working together, they have discovered “...a better way. Really, there has always been a need for this.” They point to the waiting list of more than a dozen other artists eager to join. “It’s more than
making money by selling your paintings or your artwork,” Barkley
said of the co-op. “It’s a social outlet, too, a way to meet
friends and to learn things from And the Galleria artists continue to work together to improve the organization. They already have begun conducting workshops to share their talents; future plans include hosting book signings and offering special art programs for children. “The public has been really good to us,” Barkley concluded. “Ultimately, we want to return the favor and support the community. We want to be good neighbors.”
Gulfport Galleria of Fine Art, |
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It’s
the 1920’s baby blue building a bit south of Pass Road on
Highway 49. Locals used to think of it as the American Beauty
College.
Barkley
and Kathy McCall started the Galleria last summer because, in
the chaos following Hurricane Katrina, local artists found
themselves with very few locations to display their work.
