Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Jackson.
Valerie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Our story started 46 years ago in 1971. My parents, Ann and Basil Jackson were the parents of 8 children and since mom was an amazing artist they decided to open a gallery in Roswell.
My Dad was an engineer at Lockheed at the time and decided to go to framing school and then open up a frame and art gallery. The first one ever in the sleepy town of Roswell which was only a population of 5,000 at this time. We had amazing artists like Erte, Leroy Neiman, Dali and the best local and regional artists of that time. I came in to help my parents one day around 1975 and just fell in love with the business.
Mom and Dad decided to take off on a sail boat and I bought the business from them over 30 years ago.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all a smooth road… Educating the public about art and custom framing has been a challenge. We have been thru every recession and depression economically. We have had frame shops open up everywhere along with competitive art galleries all around us. The internet has not worked in our favor along with cheap gallery wrapped prints you can buy everywhere.
Please tell us about Ann Jackson Gallery.
Our biggest claim to fame is that we have the largest collection of the published art of Dr. Seuss.
We have over 70 years of his work including his book illustrations, secret art, political cartoons and his unorthodox taxidermy. We have over 140 works and the collection is growing. Check out www.annjacksongallery.com and then click on the Art of Dr Seuss. We have had many shows which includes the works of Picasso, Dali, Renoir, Mary Cassatt, Leroy Neiman etc. We have had Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac here with his photography. We have been voted best gallery in many publications and been given awards for community service and fund raising.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Reading the books by Dr. Seuss.
Contact Info:
- Address: 932 Canton St., Roswell, Ga 30075
- Website: annjacksongallery.com
- Phone: 770-993-4783
- Email: valerie@annjacksongallery.com
- Instagram: AnnJacksonGallery
- Facebook: facebook.com/annjacksonartgallery
Image Credit:
Valerie Jackson
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