This is new

sara — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:29:28 +0000

The gallery’s grand opening and wine reception is a week from tomorrow. Today I returned to Greenville from a five-day family vacation extravaganza in Myrtle Beach. The kids had a blast; we relaxed, we swam, we lounged in the sun. It was lovely. And for the first time (ever) I drove the four hours home with a sense of excitement to be coming home, rather than one of dread.

You know that post-holiday nadir that hits as real-world reality creeps back in? I know the feeling well. So it’s a new thing, having this absence of let-down. I think that this is how life should be.

Monday will be yet another exciting morning at the gallery, with new work arriving from our growing, amazing list of artists. I’ve been working on updating the artist page of the website (ha), so there should be some significant changes there by tomorrow.

We’re expecting a great turnout on Saturday. Please come on by — have a glass of wine, meet some of the artists, chat with me, tour the space. I’m both humbled and grateful for the support I’ve received, and this is only the beginning of a very cool, insanely rewarding project; I hope you’ll stick around for the ride.

Yep, that's about right.

Christmas In July

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:44:15 +0000

Matthew is painting his studio today. The main gallery space is a rich, warm red; the back of the building, though, is green. While we love Christmas (and we do), a change was needed. And so in between trips to Home Depot, stops at Starbucks for iced chai lattes, and phone calls with artists, Matthew is painting. The red will remain, but the studio – the working space – will be shortly transformed to a clean, crisp white.

Like everything else associated with this venture, Matthew rolls up his sleeves and jumps in. He doesn’t ask for help, and he’s not afraid of (a lot of) hard work. And yet, the help has come; friends willing to wield a paint brush, a local artist donating her time to create the store’s logo, and Matthew’s dad building cedar ring-display stands in his garage, a deluge of folks have joined this project, eager to be part of Matthew’s vision.

Vanessa Grubbs, artist and long-time friend, explains, “Matthew is a talented artist, a dedicated friend, amazing father, and all-around great guy. He has a wonderful eye for design and a commitment to the arts and creative expression that I really appreciate. He has the energy and dedication to make this gallery a really wonderful happening place. I am happy to say that I will be showing with my parents at his gallery, and that I have also been talking up his gallery. It’s going to be a great boon to Greenville.”

Opening August 20, 2011, Matthew Campbell Studio & Gallery is unlike anything Greenville offers. Artists hail from all over the United States (while Matthew loves regional artists, he didn’t want to limit the gallery’s scope), and the approach is decidedly modern, yet accessible.

This is no lit-up, sterile, scared-you’re-going-to-break-something gallery. This isn’t a traditional, stuffy, elitist gallery. Matthew seeks to create a warm, intimate, authentic art experience. Part of that vision is the studio, where Matthew will work, daily, on his own art. Patrons are encouraged to come in, sit down at the old school desk, and talk. Need a special piece designed? An engagement ring? Something entirely off the wall? Talk to Matthew.

Walking in instantly connects you with the gallery’s warmth and conveys the earnest dedication to art. Don’t miss out on Greenville’s newest addition. Keep up with all the gallery news by following us on Facebook, and mark your calendar for the grand opening event on Saturday, August 20. And if you’re in downtown Greenville this week, come by and say hello… or to help him paint.