Meet Amber Markay Byrd of Markay Gallery in Marietta Square

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Markay Byrd.

Amber Markay, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A gift that changed my life; a camera from my parents on my 13th birthday. At that singular moment upon taking my very first photograph, my eyes were opened to the world around me; the details and the little things. I was no longer “just me” I was “me with my camera.” From then on, the world of art was everywhere I looked.

After moving to Georgia 10 years ago, I have focused my career on helping artists achieve their goals. From working at an art gallery to starting my own business connecting artists to galleries and helping them craft their brand and messaging, I have been surrounded by talented artists who never cease to inspire me.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a smooth road since our Grand Opening this past April. The most challenging time was the 4 months prior to opening. It was a time full of pulling permits, building code and all of the ins and outs of getting the space “gallery ready.” The Before & After photo is a huge reminder of how much work it took.

I’m more than happy now that those months are behind us. It was more than a full-time job to complete! Now is the fun part. It’s hard work, but following your passion never feels like work.

It’s been an incredible journey to open Markay Gallery and to have the opportunity to work with such creative talents. It’s amazing what a person can do when their heart and their hands work as one. This is being an artist.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Visualizing art in your home can be difficult, so we wanted to create a home-like setting where you can sit at a dining table and see a piece of art hanging right there in our gallery as if you were at home. Our twist is that even the dining table is designed and made by an artist. There isn’t a gallery like this in our area. We want to be a destination for art lovers and interior designers, for anyone who appreciates art and unique pieces for their home.

Our mission is to bring art of all forms to the mainstream. Having art you can use everyday is something pretty special. Not everyone can say that their coffee table, chair or lamp has a story like an original painting does, but now they can. Sculptural form is something important to us when we bring in functional art pieces to the gallery. The concrete stool by Zach Mickleboro is a great example. The sculptural design elements and contrasting textures is art.

What were you like growing up?
My parents always said their teenager was “broken,” meaning that I wasn’t your typical teenager with sass and attitude. I actually wanted to hang out with my parents as a teen. We would go on “photo hunts” with my camera in tow and canvas the neighborhoods for Open Houses as I loved seeing how people were decorating their homes and arranging furniture. Summers were spent on the lake where I would trade time water skiing and drawing. I loved drawing lake homes and floor plans. Maybe that’s why when I “grew up” I spent time as an assistant to an interior designer and architect. It all makes sense now. It’s funny how it all comes full circle in that way.

Contact Info:

• Address: 26 Winters Street, Marietta, GA, 30060
• Website: www.MarkayGallery.com
• Phone: 404-400-7535
• Email: info@MarkayGallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markaygallery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkayGallery
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkayGallery
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/markay-gallery-marietta

Image Credit:
Calvin Cummings

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