Daily Inspiration: Meet Joan Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joan Smith.

Hi Joan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I met with a friend of my sisters who had a small gallery to ask questions about how to get started in the business. We talked a lot and one day she asked if I would be interested in buying her shop. So I did. I purchased her gallery’s inventory from Mt Vernon, Ohio in August 1996. I found a small retail space in Green and opened up. Custom Framing and handcrafted Art from artists all over the US and Canada. She was a great mentor to me in those early years, taking me to artist shows etc. . We became good friends in the process.

I have had Gallery 143 for 30 years now. I am in my 4th and best location. I have gotten involved in art in the community to broaden my reach. I also have three ladies who are all artists working with me. They bring great diversity in art to the Gallery which helps with serving our customers. We provide professional custom framing and sell jewelry, metal, fiber, ceramic, glass etc. from local and allover the US artists.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. I have battled several road constructions to the Main Street in front of the shop as our community has grown. and anyone who tells you that is not a big deal is wrong. it is devastating to your traffic flow. I also worked through the pandemic. We had to close for two months during covid. I will say that my customers really held me up, they were frightened that I might have to close and made it a point to continue to stop in or call and pick up merchandise. I am forever grateful for them. We have also had some tough times with the economy. I do not carry anything people must have, but my customers do see the importance of art and creativity even during tough times. We are very customer focused and try to accommodate our customers needs.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an interesting combo of business woman and artist. I started and worked in a business with my husband prior to running the Gallery. I worked with him for 10 years before the Gallery and am still involved with the financial side of his business. Having that experience before opening the Gallery has been very helpful. I have sewed since I was eight years old. I made a lot of clothes when I was young and switched to quilting when I was 17. Quilting is something I do in and around both businesses and while raising my son. In 2012 I accompanied a jewelry artist to Tuscon for the gem show and came home with some beads and an idea to start doing small quilts (collage) and framing them to hang on the wall. M. Joan Smith collage was born. Since then I have made fabric/mixed media collage to frame, done creative collage covers for journals, made bookmarks etc. I sell my work in the Gallery. I have to say that I enjoy all facets of my work, but what makes me most proud is how I have been involved in bringing art to Green. I am a member of the Green Arts Council and we began an art festival with the city that is in its 21st year. Then a few years ago one of my friends who works with me and myselfthought up another festival idea and presented it to the city and we now help with that one too. These. two festivals are really supported by the City. And the City has now started working on a public art plan for the city. I. am happy that my little gallery perhaps started to bring awareness of art to the area and it’s great to see how it has grown. I think starting the gallery has brought me the confidence to stretch myself into these other areas.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is my family. I am blessed to have my husband who has been supporting and encouraging me for 50 years now, and my son who grew up through both our businesses. He now runs the other business. I have incredible siblings who are very supportive as well. It makes me so happy that I am able to share my work with my family and my four grandchildren. They have been surrounded by art since they were very small. I think exposing them to art will help them throughout their lives. Just to know that beauty and creativity should be part of their lives. They help with the artists at the festivals as well and are always intrigued by what they see. What a great blessing for them to have the opportunity to see all that creativity.

Pricing:

• Make sure to add all supplies, shipping into your pricing
• watch for discounting as it will train your customers to wait for sales
• talk to your customers about the work so they see greater value in handmade

Contact Info:

• Email: gallery143js@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gallery143