Connecting Artists to the Community with Education, Therapy and Fun
A Gallery that Gives Back The Gallery, 700 Washington Ave
Ocean Springs, MS 228.875.8407
Below you will find more information about our sponsor, The Gallery, but first, here is a little background on the kind of person the owner is.
Before Mark Lafontaine started the backbreaking task of cleaning up an old-antique-store-building and magically transforming it into any artist's dream, he approached me with an idea: "How about having The Gallery as Art with Heart's homefront?" I almost cried standing right there in this huge place on Artist's Paradise in Ocean Springs (otherwise known as Washington Avenue).
I probably would have cried if I could catch my breath, not believing or wrapping my mind around the offer that this amazingly energetic and kind-hearted person had just given us: a 12x12 room in the back of an up-and-coming culturally diverse, novel gallery with gorgeous French doors, access to the creative wonderland of people coming in and out, and the freedom to create and help as we can.
We are so blessed for these things, but the most important parts are just being in an inclusive and innovative environment where we feel kinship to Mark Lafontaine and Al Harrist, his Assistant and Curator, not to mention the other brilliant artists that come in and out and decorate the walls of this one-of-a-kind masterpiece gallery. We are blessed.
We haven't been as fast as I'd like us to be relocating students, fitting new schedules with old and getting things "just right" to have the classes running on all 8 cylinders, but we are moving steadily in the right direction!
We have "Open Studio" classes Tuesdays from 2 til 4 pm for all ages and Thursday 3 til 4:30 and we're working on workshops, groups and other interesting things in the very, very near future. We will keep you posted, but this is about THE GALLERY, so onward with more information!
Before we move on to the building and what this mover and shaker has to offer, Mark, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the gifts you've given us. We are so blessed to have you in our lives!
Before Mark Lafontaine started the backbreaking task of cleaning up an old-antique-store-building and magically transforming it into any artist's dream, he approached me with an idea: "How about having The Gallery as Art with Heart's homefront?" I almost cried standing right there in this huge place on Artist's Paradise in Ocean Springs (otherwise known as Washington Avenue).
I probably would have cried if I could catch my breath, not believing or wrapping my mind around the offer that this amazingly energetic and kind-hearted person had just given us: a 12x12 room in the back of an up-and-coming culturally diverse, novel gallery with gorgeous French doors, access to the creative wonderland of people coming in and out, and the freedom to create and help as we can.
We are so blessed for these things, but the most important parts are just being in an inclusive and innovative environment where we feel kinship to Mark Lafontaine and Al Harrist, his Assistant and Curator, not to mention the other brilliant artists that come in and out and decorate the walls of this one-of-a-kind masterpiece gallery. We are blessed.
We haven't been as fast as I'd like us to be relocating students, fitting new schedules with old and getting things "just right" to have the classes running on all 8 cylinders, but we are moving steadily in the right direction!
We have "Open Studio" classes Tuesdays from 2 til 4 pm for all ages and Thursday 3 til 4:30 and we're working on workshops, groups and other interesting things in the very, very near future. We will keep you posted, but this is about THE GALLERY, so onward with more information!
Before we move on to the building and what this mover and shaker has to offer, Mark, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the gifts you've given us. We are so blessed to have you in our lives!
For Artists
The Gallery has traffic, traffic and more traffic. Anyone knows where to go for the best art! Ocean Springs on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi is a Mecca of art and artists, so if you want to sell work, people, this is THE place to be. Its two buildings down from Al Fresco's Restaurant, right on the corner. Take a drive down, come in and look around~ but not before enjoying the mural on the side of our building--- its gorgeous. When you come in, ask about our coffee service and scrumptious muffins.
Anyone that knows me knows that I am bad about showing my work, Art with Heart comes first. BUT- I have sold 3 pieces and a print in about 6 weeks! Of course, all proceeds still go toward Art with Heart, but still! I jumped for joy. So... you must get down here and hang some work.
Anyone that knows me knows that I am bad about showing my work, Art with Heart comes first. BUT- I have sold 3 pieces and a print in about 6 weeks! Of course, all proceeds still go toward Art with Heart, but still! I jumped for joy. So... you must get down here and hang some work.
For Shoppers
