609 a gallery

07/31/2017

With the closing of the gallery it's time to thank all those that made the last year what it was. Today the partners:

The gallery would never have existed without Rick Gooden, he had the lease on the building and when he moved his shop he wanted to do something in retail. His mistake was letting me in on the vision. I had been entertaining an art gallery in New Harmony for quite a while, I pounced at the opportunity.

Rick, had been talking to Tony Treadway about representing Treadway Clay in the space. Tony quickly became a partner and my friend. We converted the space from a wood shop to a gallery in three weeks. Tony and I gutted the place, cleaned, painted and put in the lighting. Rick built shelves and pedestals. The paint wasn't even dry the day we opened. The gallery wasn't Rick's cup of tea but he made it happen and will always be a good friend.

Tony, the rascally liberal from Illinois, the Bob Beckel of the gallery. I always equated potters with drummers, they're great fun but keep them away from your daughter. My daughter instantly liked Tony, proves my point.

We would stand out in front of the gallery, Tony smoking, me drinking a gin and tonic, we were quickly dubbed the bad boys of Main street, I think we were both OK with that.

The river was a mere two blocks out the back door, to us, Mystic River, I'll leave that for Tony to explain. It's probably a blessing I didn't live in town, I'm sure Tony and I could have got into a lot of trouble. Tony is one of the hardest working people I know, I will always appreciate him as a partner and friend.

07/28/2017

"This is the end, beautiful friend "

A year ago, almost to the day, the gallery began, for me, in Susan Ruth's driveway
We loaded her art, the 6 by 6 bold, colorful pieces that were to be the wow factor
I had fallen in love with Susan's art a year earlier
Now I had the first pieces for the gallery, it had really started

"This is the end, my only friend, the end "

I can't back a trailer to save my life, not an inch, may have something to do with being born backwards
I drove through her yard, classy

"Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end "

Many years ago, we were walking away from my beloved Aunt Amsie's grave side service
Uncle Steve, who had not said a word through the visitation, funeral and grave side quietly now said, as we walked back to the car, "This is the hard part, ya leave with one fewer than ya came with". Nice one Steve, try to keep a dry eye after that

"No safety or surprise, the end "

Last night I was, a year later, in Susan's driveway again, unloading much of the same art
I came with art and was leaving without it, "the hard part"
Thanks Steve
The end
Susan quietly said "I love you"

"I'll never look into your eyes, again "

I drove through her yard

"Can you picture what will be, so limitless and free "

Much more needs to be said about my partners, intern, artists, all that made for a fabulous year
I'll do that, but not today, maybe Monday

"Desperately in need, of some, stranger's hand
In a, desperate land "

The End

07/23/2017

Last year, when we opened the gallery, I was asked what my vision of it was. I answered that it was a journey and this was the first step. Yesterday that part of the journey ended with the closing of 609 a gallery.

"609 a gallery", other than its historical reference, it sounds incomplete, so here is all of it: "609 a gallery of artists". When the producer of WGN's Cruisin' Indiana was in the gallery a couple of months ago I said, "When you look at a painting you see the beauty of the art, when I look at it, I see the beauty of the artist". The gallery was never about the art, it was about the artists and while we close the gallery the artists remain.

There are no words that can express my gratitude to my partners, intern Chels, artists, student artists, U of E support, business community, patrons and all that made this last year the blast that it was.

Near the end of my father's life he said, "I look back and it all seems like a dream". Soon this past year and the gallery, I am sure, will start to seem like a dream but now the next part of the journey begins and I hope to see all of you there, or as Susan said yesterday, " let's go drink gin martinis."

One sweet dream
Pick up the bags and get in the limousine
Soon we'll be away from here
Step on the gas and wipe that tear away

One sweet dream
Came true today
Came true today
Came true today
Yes it did

07/07/2017

We are both surprised and honored that the gallery made WGN's Cruisin Indiana's feature on New Harmony.

http://wgntv.com/2017/07/06/the-wonder-peace-and-harmony-in-southwest-indiana/

Cruisin’ Indiana is headed to an unusual village on the southwest tip of the state. For more than 200 years, people have been drawn to the peaceful charm of New Harmony. There’s an undeniable sense of tranquility in historic New Harmony. It is surrounded by beauty and the search for higher meaning....

06/16/2017

Hey everyone,
Being that Sunday is Father's Day the gallery will be closed so that we may spend quality time with our families. Sorry for any inconvenience! We are still open today and will be open on Saturday as well! Enjoy your weekend!

06/05/2017

A thank you, that words can not describe,to Chelsie Walker, 609's University of Evansville intern, for putting together this weekend's U of E student art sale. And to our student artists Bryton McKinley, Madison Daniels, Jessie Pemberton, Brittany Kerr, Amanda Straeffer, Chelsie Walker and professor Todd Matteson, the art was amazing.
It was a total pleasure to hear people exclaim "these are students?", you too Todd.
Capitalizing on the old adage "no good deed goes unpunished" we are going to sell student art again next weekend, June 10 and 11, sorry Chelsie!
Please come out and see (purchase) these stunning University of Evansville works.

06/04/2017

Great weekend at Arts in New Harmony with the University of Evansville art sale. Still time to visit the "Alley Galley" at 609 a gallery, 609 Main Street, New Harmony.

06/02/2017

Our final feature before the big day tomorrow is of the ceramic work by Professor Todd A. Matteson from the University of Evansville. His beautiful and unique pieces will be on display along with the student work. To see more of his work stop by tomorrow starting at 10!

06/02/2017

Sneak peek of our Alley Gallery show that starts tomorrow! Come see it for yourself and take in all the other beautiful art!

06/01/2017

Our final student feature for our Alley Gallery event is our intern from the University of Evansville, Chelsie Walker. She will be a senior this coming year and her work features many different mediums and techniques. To see more of her other work and the work of our other students come check out our Alley Gallery Event this weekend!

Chelsie's Work:
1. Cosmic Bodies-$250
2. Flow-$75
3. Unraveled-$100

05/31/2017

Today we have a second student promo! These two lovely pieces are by Jessica Pemberton. Jessie is a very talented artist who is skilled in many different mediums thanks to her time at the University of Evansville. Come support her and our other student artists at the Alley Gallery!

Jessie's Work:
1. Raw Human Canvas-$250
2. Sandstorm-$50

05/31/2017

Our next featured student artist is Madison Daniels. She is another University of Evansville art student that creates beautiful work. These pieces will be at our Alley Gallery event this Saturday and Sunday if you want to see them in person!

Madison's Work:
1. The Abstract Unconscious-$100
2. Tomatoes-$80
3. Suffocation-$75