Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Shick.
Hi Elizabeth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
While eating lunch one day on Marietta Square, I noticed an art gallery emptying their stock during COVID. I told my husband that I should buy the space since I, myself, am an artist. I followed my mother’s footsteps in painting and participating in sidewalk art shows, and now I was shown the opportunity to grow from that. And because it was already an established art gallery, there was no construction work to be done. All I had to do was find more artists that wanted to rent out space inside and sell their artwork.
I already had one business that I started. I thought if I could manage to keep that afloat, then surely I could handle a second, smaller, and less stressful business like this. Now, my gallery is an escape from what I do full-time. It’s very fulfilling to me to be able to bring together a bunch of different artists in one place and showcase their work. You meet a lot of great people along the way, whether that be more artists or just those who appreciate the art.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road we have been on has certainly had its bumps. You know, art is one of those things that everyone takes in and appreciates differently. It’s not like a must-have, like electricity – more like an extra sprinkle of awesome in life. So, as expected we have our slower periods when people aren’t in an artsy mood. Timing is an important factor here – knowing when our kind of crowd is out and about is key. We have to catch their interest at just the right time; such as festivals or around Christmas.
A big chunk of our success owes itself to our killer location. We’re right on Marietta Square, where all the action is. People stroll in from the nearby restaurants or City Hall, just doing their thing, and bam! They notice us and get curious. Over 30 different artists rent space in our gallery, so chances are, there’s a piece that will speak to each person in the mix.
Honestly, we have been learning a lot from the process of trial and error. Figuring out when people are most in the mood, what sells, and how to lure people in – it’s all about testing the waters and figuring out what works best.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We specialize in showcasing whimsical artwork, similar to what is shown at Dragon Con or Renaissance Festivals. Since there are so many of us, there is a wide variety of styles and subject matter. And because the great majority of our artists are local, the stock we have in store is always being added to and changing. No two visits to our gallery are ever the same experience.
Being a business where things are always evolving is incredibly thrilling as well as inspiring. I do believe that some of our artists happen to become inspired by one another. They see each other’s work, find new perspectives, and learn from one another.
We heavily support our artists and wish for them all to grow in their own respective fields of art. Art festivals on Marietta Square are especially fun because it opens up the opportunity for our artists to personally come out and show their work to the public. Seeing art displayed in the gallery is one thing, but having the artist there and able to talk about their process is a whole new level. Our artists love being able to take a spotlight in such instances and we look forward to the times where we can work and showcase our art together.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
The collections of Grimm’s Fairy Tales were some of my all-time favorite books to read as a child. They offered me a sense of escape with their countless stories. They gave me the freedom to daydream and immerse myself in the current story I was reading. The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland were two other stories I have enjoyed since a young age. Not only did they give me the same feeling that Grimm’s Fairy Tales did, but I also fell in love with the books’ whimsical artwork. They stimulated my imagination and helped lead me to where I am now. It’s in partial thanks to those stories that I find relaxation to be when I’m creating my own whimsical art that tells a story of its own.
Pricing:
- Paintings average range: $15-$65
- Sculptures average range: $20-$100
- Jewelry average range: $10-$45
Contact Info:
- Website: ahoytherebedragons.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ahoydragongallery
- Facebook: facebook.com/ahoytherebedragons
Image Credits
Cazi Thomas
