Holiday transitions...

We're in the middle of transitioning...from our Christmas celebration to our New Year's celebration. Oh My...! 2006 is nearly here ...already!!? We've got one week to do those things we wanted to get done in 2005.
Time to put away the Christmas ornaments, pack-up the Christmas Cd's and ponder on the blessings and lessons of another year nearly gone.
So...there's a busy week ahead here at the Dickson Gallery...we're going to be finalizing preparations for our New Year's Eve Eve celebration (see http://www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm) for more details. We'll also be setting goals for 2006 and where we'd like to see ourselves in another 12 short months. Where does the time go? more soon....Rachel

One more Week!

Wow, only one more Week to finish that Christmas shopping! But it's not too late! We've got some great stocking stuffers and that unique item you've been searching for...
We've been selling a lot of Amanda Bain Pottery, Jai Johnson Jewelry, and poker themed photography by Dean Hamilton....to name a few.
We'll also be open on Christmas Eve (Saturday) from 10:00a-4:00p...for those of you who LOVE that last minute fun.
Happiness,
Rachel

NEW Jin Powell pieces added!

Just added some INCREDIBLE new Jin Powell sculptures to the gallery today! I'll be shooting photos and added them to the website soon...but if you're a Jin Powell fan...you need to come visit and see these! They're AWESOME metal sculptures!

Coming up...

Hi Everyone,
We here at the Dickson Gallery are always working toward the future...and the next big thing (Besides Christmas of course) is the upcoming New Year. Sooooo, we're gearing up for our New Year's Eve Eve celebration Friday, December 30th from 7p-9p.
We're working on (shhhh, it's sorta a secret) providing a Jazz ensemble to "Jazz up" our evening...looks like we're also going to have live saxaphone outside the gallery too! ...so, stay tuned for great things to come...and happiest of Holidays as you celebrate the season of peace and love.
Happiness,
Rachel

what a week!

Hi Everyone,
Wow, what a week Dec. 4-10 turned out to be. I took some time to recoup last night and late into this morning and am feeling a bit "re-fueled" now. Starting with the tail end of the LANA Christmas Home Tour last Sunday, the Christmas Parade Monday night, downtown business owner's meeting Wednesday, lots has been going on...that's for sure.
We've had some great sales off our website already for the holiday season! Have shipped items to CA and to IL. In addition, Dean Hamilton's photography show is going well at Picasso's Pizzeria on the North side of Jackson. Turns out that the Christmas season seems to be the perfect time for Dean's Poker and Pool pieces to be on display up there! We're excited for him since this is his first solo show anywhere. Way to go Dino!
To learn more about Picassos Pizzeria click here or on the image above.

Also...Jai Johnson has added over 15 new pendants to our gallery collection. To see 'em all click here.
Much more to come....Happiness,
Rachel

We were nominated...

Hey all,
The Dickson Gallery of Fine Art was recently nominated for the 2005 Pinnacle Awards presented by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. While we're not eligible to receive the Pinnacle Award (have to have been in business for 5 years or more), we ARE eligible for the Emerging Business of the Year award. For this, we are honored to have been nominated.
I completed the application process and delivered it to the Chamber yesterday. I am excited to simply have gone through the application process...which was no party I'll say...the award winners are announced in February. I'll let you know what happens.
I'm amazed at what all the Dickson Gallery has accomplished in 12 short months. Thank you to all of you who have supported our efforts!
Happiness,
Rachel

Dickson Gallery in Memphis Biz Journal

We recently got mentioned in the November 4-10, 2005 Memphis Business Journal. I've added the article to the gallery's media page. Check it out by clicking here
More great press for downtown Jackson and the Dickson Gallery of Fine Art!

We'll also soon be published in Jackson Magazine 2006...watch for that coming soon.

Happy Holidays!
Rachel

HUGE success!

It was great! BIG crowd, lots of fun, many compliments, very successful. The music was great (thanks Claire & Audrey Hazlehurst {violin} and Dr. Sax {saxophone}, the food was great, and the art was great. Reminds me of what Tony the Tiger says...."they're G-R-E-A-T."
I've spoken with many of my artists and various folks who attended Friday night's "Art-i-versary" celebration Nov. 25th and it simply was spectacular. The around town info hunt was a big hit. Lots of folks were coming through the gallery with game cards in their hands seeking the answer to our question.
Many thanks to those of you who attended and to the artists who pitched in and helped make the event such a success.
We're looking forward to many more years of culture in art here in Downtown Jackson, TN.
Happiness,
Rachel

It's almost here...

Wow! I can't believe a few more hours and Thanksgiving 2005 is over! Where did that go?
Needless to say, we're gearing up for our "Art-i-versary" Celebration in honor of our one year anniversary tomorrow. Final preparations are nearly complete. Still have a lot of stuff to get ready at the gallery in the morning tomorrow...but it'll all get done before tomorrow evenings kick-off at 7:00pm.
The game cards are complete for the downtown-wide "info hunt", the musicians have been hired (Claire & Audrey Hazlehurst-violin duet inside & Dr. Sax playing live saxophone outside) and ought to be a real hit...I'm excited to hear live music all around.
We've added a new artist yesterday (Georgann Culp, a stain-glass artists) who ought to be a neat addition to what the West Tennessee art we have to offer.
So...we'll see what tomorrow holds. I enjoyed the day "off" today and a break from preparations...but am ready to get started bright and early in the morning in making final preparations for a great anniversary celebration.
Happiness,
Rachel
Oh, and I saw we were listed as the "only thing to do" on November 25th in the Jackson Sun's Nov-Dec calendar of events newspaper listing today. :-) Thank you Jackson Sun!

"Art-i-versary" Nov 25th...

Well, we're gearing up for the big one year anniversary party on Friday, Nov. 25th. I'm holding my fingers crossed that the Thanksgiving holiday doesn't keep people away...but that it does the opposite and folks will bring their visiting family and friends. A great way to get out of the house and enjoy the arts by the way!
Many of our artists will be present, we're having 2 sisters (Thank you Hazelhursts) play the violin inside and we're going to have saxaphone outside on the street brought to you by Dr. Sax. The live music will be awesome! The food will be outstanding too! Our one year "Art-i-versary" celebration is looking like it will be really neat and a lot of fun!
Also going on at the same time is this month's "Fabulous Friday" event downtown. Downtown businesses will also be open from 7-9p, and we'll be having an around-town info hunt. THAT's going to be fun too! We'll be handing out the questionaires at the Dickson Gallery. For more information go to www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm
Lots going on that's for sure!
Happiness,
Rachel

Above the Fold...Jackson Sun Coverage

If you're from Jackson, then you likely saw it. The Dickson Gallery got coverage smack-dab on the front page of the Jackson Sun on Monday, November 7th. I'll be scanning the article and placing a link on the gallery website "media page" soon.
Things really are "buzzing" downtown! Gallery traffic has really picked up in the past few months...and the Holidays are just around the corner!
Happiness,
Rachel

Southern Living: November 2005!!

We're in Southern Living!! However, if you're not a subscriber and don't live in Tennessee you'll miss it...we're on page 36 of the "Bonus Section for Tennessee Readers" right smack in the middle of the magazine.
Here's a peak:
Nov. 2005 Southern Living
Enjoy! Happiness, Rachel

Lots going on....

Well, yesterday was Jackson's first ever downtown-wide trick-or-treat event. What FUN! hundreds of spidermen, darth-vaders, princesses and many other various costumed children streamed into downtown collecting their "sugar bounty." For the full story check out this week's Jackson-Today column: Jackson-Today October 27 Article

I've also updated our website listing the fact that November marks the Dickson Gallery's ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! Hard to believe that we've been going strong for one full year now. A LOT has happened in 12 months!! What an adventure it's been too. Check out the gallery's events page to read about our upcoming "Art-i-versary" celebration: http://www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm

Happiness, Rachel

"Puttin' on the Pink" awarded!

Hey everyone! Today was the final culmination of "Puttin on the Pink" week downtown. Ended with the grand finale luncheon held at Aeneas from 11:30a-1:00p. What a great event! Breast Cancer Awareness was attained as far as I'm concerned. We gave away fine jewelry artist Jai Johnson's exclusive pendant aptly titled "Puttin on the Pink". The lucky winner was Betty Livingston of Jackson, TN. Congratulations Betty!
Shown below is the actual pendant given away and also our gallery windows decorated in pink for "Puttin on the Pink" week downtown! Was truly a great day and needless to say, I too learned a lot about breast cancer and early detection. HUGE thanks goes out to Jai Johnson for creating and donating this great pendant and also to West Tennessee Healthcare (especially Stacey Mott) for selecting downtown as the location for this years "Puttin on the Pink" event!

Thursday...Cool things happening...

Was contacted today by a writer from the Memphis Business Journal! That was cool! So had a phone interview with him because they're doing a story on the growth and happenings of downtown Jackson. It should be posted on their website in a few weeks www.bizjournals.com/memphis I wasn't familiar with their periodical until now...a solid business resource. Who knows what sort of positive promotional value this will create? I'm thrilled! Tomorrow is the luncheon for "Puttin on the Pink" week where the winner of Jai Johnson's Pendant will be announced. If you haven't come down to the gallery to register NOW is the time! (well actually tomorrow between 10:00a and 11:00a) after 11:00a the registration "fish-bowl" is going with me over to the luncheon. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow... It's been fun having pink in the gallery window display...hopefully tomorrow I'll get chance to take a photo and post it here. Happiness, Rachel

Tuesday's!

WOW, Tuesday's are becoming very business foot-traffic days at the gallery. Couple after couple, individual after individual wandered into the gallery yesterday (same as last Tuesday)...any of which were "making the rounds" in downtown. More and more folks are coming downtown to see what all the talk is about. Seems like most are starting at the "Painted Lady" (a new 8-shop boutique right up the street from the gallery on E. Lafayette) at the moment and then branching out from there.

It's "Puttin' on the Pink" WEEK in downtown (now through October 21st)! Businesses look great all dressed up in pink! Come downtown and check it out. There's been a lot of good press for this event which is accomplishing the main goal of West TN Healthcare ...Breast Cancer Awareness.

Oh, and I've posted the new pieces from Jai Johnson that she's brought in to the gallery! Check 'em out at http://www.dicksongallery.com/artist_jai_johnson.htm

Happiness!

Saturday: Another extraordinary day in the life...

Today I got a phone call from Jin Powell. She's an incredible sculpture artist who's work I'd seen at various shows in Memphis over the past few months. She called me to say that she was in Jackson on Saturday because she was at USJ's Art Festival and had her work there in a booth. We had been talking previously already on the phone that her work really NEEDED to be in The Dickson Gallery of Fine Art. I was thrilled to hear she was in town and took the time to go by and see what she'd brought. I felt like a 4 year old in a toy store...ooooh, ooooh, ooooh...love that...that and that! After a brief discussion I picked out 6 pieces which will be in the Dickson Gallery come Tuesday October 18th. You SOOOoo need to check these out! I'll be taking photos of them soon and adding them to the gallery website. Until then...you MUST come by to see them! For a sneak peak at the style of work I'm talking about check this out: http://www.iconatelier.com/innovation.html and her work will now be in The Dickson Gallery of Fine Art!! What an incredible addition to our gallery Jin will be!....and to have her work exclusively at my gallery? I'm flattered and very excited for Jackson to present such a talented and accomplished sculptor.

Jackson Magazine!

We're gonna be one of the featured stories in 2006 Jackson Magazine!! A photographer contacted me on Thursday and came to the gallery Friday to shoot photos for the story. COOL! WAY COOL! How excited to be a major part of the "Art" section in the 2006 version of this magazine!
Couple this with being mentioned in Southern Living Magazine in November, and also being a part of the coffee table book that the Jackson-Madison Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to print...we're getting some great exposure!
AWESOME!

Wednesday: continued...

Wednesday night was the downtown merchants association October meeting. After having met each month since June of this year...we're continuing to cultivate a "work-togetherness" that seems to be creating a momentum toward great things in downtown. This month we discussed the October "Fabulous Friday" (a downtown event held the last Friday of every month) which will be held on October 28th. We're trying to pull off a "costume preferred" Halloween pub crawl from 7p-?. It's still in the works...but the concept is great.
The evening will start at 7:00p-7:45p at Lola's Bar & Grill, followed by Shooter's from 7:45p-8:30p and ending at Downtown Tavern from 8:30p-? Best costume by a male and Best costume by a female will be voted on at each location with the winner announced at the Downtown Tavern at 9p. Or so goes the plan as it stands now. All of this may be subject to change...but that's the jist of it.
We also discussed November's "Fabulous Friday", "Puttin' on the Pink" and various other house matters.
All in all it was another great coming together of the downtown business owners.

Another great week in the life...Wednesday

of an art gallery owner. Wednesday I was invited to attend the "Calendar Party" luncheon held annually at St. Luke's Episcopal Church presented by the Episcopal Church women. (Proceeds from the Calendar Party go to the restoration of the nave of St Luke's Church). I really wasn't familiar with what "Calendar Party" meant until I got there. Each table was decorated for a month of the year. What FuN! I understand that various parishioners that volunteer to decorate a table pick a month out of a hat and decorated their table according to that month. For example, December, Christmas type decor. But this isn't just centerpiece type decor...this is tableware, chairs, centerpiece, color theme, various added trickets, etc etc. It was QUITE a site to see the elaborate decor that dressed each table!
I was pleased to be able to sit at interim Rector Susan Crawford's table. Along with her was various ladies from Memphis, Susan Sharp (minister at the Methodist church near the hospital) and Mary Bearden (downtown development director).
The menu was incredible! Chicken-Mushroom-Cashew turnover in Phyllo dough, Spinach Salad w/Creamy Bacon Dressing, Pineapple-Ginger Glazed Carrots, and Layered Pumpkin Cheese Cake. WOW! ...and being a vegetarian I was glad that I chose to eat it anyway!! It's was all wonderful!
Thanks to the Women of St Luke's and to Susan Crawford for an invitation to another great downtown event!