Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Stephens.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Wally Workman started the gallery in 1980, so we celebrate our 45th Anniversary this August! I joined the gallery in 2006 and became partner in 2012. It’s been great to help grow the gallery alongside our city’s growth. We represent over 50 artists, almost half of them live here in town. Some have been showing their work with us for decades and some have joined just this year. We represent a wide range of work with the consistency being quality. Our hope is that every person who walks through our doors can fall in love with at least one artist that we show.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There of course have been challenges but Wally and I are both stubborn so we’ve been able to persevere. When the mortgage crisis hit in 2008, we rented the gallery out for events and did a lot of personal outreach to our clients. When the pandemic hit, we closed our doors but kept our exhibitions on schedule and met with clients by appointment and produced a lot of show videos, which we have continued to do today. We are passionate about what we do and creative in making it work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Wally Workman Gallery?
I believe what sets us apart from other galleries is our focus on warmth and transparency. We are not an intimidating white box gallery. We are located in a 120+ year old home, prices are listed on our walls as well as our website. Our goal is to make every person who walks in the door feel comfortable and engaged, no matter if they’re a buyer or not. This is long-term thinking. We have clients who visited the gallery for over 15 years before they made their first purchase and that’s fine with us. I think because of this, our clients trust us and become repeat buyers. And we choose work that people will fall in love with, not just buy for investments. Our client relationships are long-term as are the relationships our clients have with the work they purchase from us.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Come enjoy art!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wallyworkmangallery.com/
- Instagram: @wallyworkmangallery
