Packed House!

The much awaited photos are here...Dickson Gallery hosted an opening reception for Jacque Hillman, jewelry artist. The event showcased Jacque's jewelry created from computer parts, the power of copper and precious stones. Shown here on the left, left to right: Jacque's great niece, Kara Waddell, artist Jacque Hillman, and Jacque's youngest daughter Lea Waide.
The evening was full of energy and excitement over the reveal of Jacque's newest works. Her work will be on display throughout the remainder of the week (September 1st.) Jacque's jewelry is best viewed in person...so come on down to the Dickson Gallery, 118 E Lafayette St, downtown Jackson.

KOWABUNGA!!!

WHOA...what a HUGE event last night turned out to be. There were so many people in the gallery last night...at times you could only move single file thru the room. What a night! Jacque Hillman's jewelry was a big success...we sold nearly 50 % of the entire collection...roughly 20 of the 45 pieces on display. Not to mention the commissions she also received! ...AND Senator Don McLeary and Representative Jimmy Eldridge were in attendance among MANY other notables!! The buzz around town now about the Dickson Gallery has been cranked up a bit as it was another very exciting evening downtown and especially with the Dickson Gallery of Fine Art. I'll be posting photos of the evening here very soon...
Thanks to ALL of you who attended and I trust you'll truly admire the pieces of original art that many of you added to your personal collection last night.
Here's to many more evenings of fellowship & fine art at the Dickson in the near future.
Happiness,
Rachel Dickson
www.dicksongallery.com

Ping-Pong anyone?

ok...so for those of you who know me...knows that ping-pong has a very special place in my heart. I LOVE the game! ...so much...I could stop everything and play right now. But I don't have a table...in fact, there's only one person in Jackson that I know has a table...so game time is a bit limited as you can imagine. What I don't understand...is WHY doesn't any of the local pool halls have at least ONE ping-pong table?
The more people I talk to about it...the more ping-pong players I meet. I think there's a "hidden community" of die-hard PP players here in Jackson. Will SOMEONE please host ping-pong tournaments?
hmmm, would pp and art go together? Maybe I should get a pp table at the gallery and host my own tournaments. hmmmm?
In the mean time, this week is "prep for the party" week. Yep, it's that time again. Totally re-do the gallery for the art opening Friday night ("Fabulous Friday" downtown) and show on Saturday. Lots of hard work ahead...but always worth the effort. Then starting next week we're prepping to hang a show at a new salon in town "Carolina Avenue" and then on to the wine tasting and fine art show at Premier Place benefitting the West TN Cerebral Palsy Association. for more info about Dickson Gallery upcoming events see www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm . Come October...I'll be ready for a good ping-pong game!

Just how much spam do we have to take??

I think it's becoming epidemic...and the anti-spam laws haven't helped any. I bet I get close to 100 spam emails in a day. As I figure out how to "bounce" more and more of it back...the numbers I think are holding steady. But geez, really. Do we have to endure this crap? I found the cartoon on the left at www.spamusement.com who cleverly has create cartoons such as this one spoofing actual subject lines of spam email. Guess we might as well laugh about it...cause it's not going away. So in the mean time...I'll just keep deleting, blocking, and black listing (woops here's comes another spam as I'm writing). I wonder if these actually sell any product? Worse things have happened. I'm confident everyone trips and stumbles their way thru gobs of email in their inboxes each day. oooh for the days of valid email in the inbox. What year was that? 1997?

"Reconfigured"---It's coming August 25th!!

Dickson Gallery presents,
Art Jewelry byJacque Hillman:
August 25-26, 2006

PREVIEW RECEPTION
Friday August 25th, 2006
7:00p-9:00p
(w/LIVE music by Tom Price)

For more information visit:
www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm

Local Elections...Friday...and roll 'em...

Is it just me...or do some days just feel like a roll of the dice? Also seems as if the entire world is in a state of change and flux...well, duh! Of course it is...and always has been. But, at least in my world...it especially seems unstable. Maybe it's just me....
Local elections and the State primary's were held yesterday. I'm especially thrilled that all that is behind us at least for a while. Signs, signs, signs everywhere...radio spots, tv ads and newspaper articles about who's better at this or that...or worse...but all it really boils down to (at least in my mind) is who we individually decide is best for the job...and then let the chips fall where they may. I'm just glad it's over. Now...shall we move on and improve our corner of the world?
I'm a big believer in "show me"..."be a living example" of what you say you're all about...don't just talk. I'm sick of talk!! Shut up already and show me. ...and I'd say that yesterday was the end of "talk" I hope and the beginning of "do", "be", "lead".
...and I'm also happy it's Friday. Not that I have the weekend off...as the gallery is opened on Saturday...just that the world seems to be generally happier on a Friday.
So, maybe it's not a roll of the dice...maybe it's a state of mind? I do know...that what's done is done...and the only guarantee is this moment...this second we each have right now! So we better get out there and do those things that have been eating at us for years...cause we might not ever get the chance otherwise.
Happy Friday,
Rachel

Art-a-RITA ~ Margarita !!!

The Dickson Gallery "Art-a-RITA ~ Margarita Party" was a HUGE success. Fun was had by all this past Friday, July 28th as we hosted this July "Fabulous Friday" event downtown. We also began our Summer blow-out sale...with original fine art as low as $45! Hurray...'cause these special works are available on a first come first serve basis.
We're also gearing up for another big fine art season here at the Dickson Gallery. We've got shows booked now through January...featuring: Jewelry by Jacque Hillman, Watercolor Original Paintings by Mary Spellings, Pottery by Amanda Bain, our annual Jewelry show the day after Thanksgiving and our New Year's Eve, Eve, Eve party. ...oh and there's MUCH more too.
Be sure to keep a close eye on what's happening at the Dickson Gallery! You don't want to miss the HOTTEST art scene around!!

Goofin' around...

ok...so right after our July Downtown Merchants meeting I walked over to the gallery and opened up. While turning on the lights upstairs I glanced out the window and Lori (Jackson Downtown Development) was snapping shots of the gallery for www.jacksondowntown.com. Naturally I couldn't pass up the opportunity...so I whipped open the window and proceeded to goof off a bit...and of course, Lori snapped this shot on the left.
Things have been a bit quiet in and around downtown Jackson during June and July, not to mention Hhhhhhhot! So we've had to goof off a bit to entertain ourselves. Doesn't mean the artwork is any less than before...as we've gotten in a lot of really great pieces in the past few days and weeks.
So skip mowing the lawn ('cause we both know you'll pass out from the heat) and get on down to the Dickson Gallery. We're loads of fun here...AND we've got amazing artwork for you to add to your collection!
Happiness,
Rachel

If you've been trying to get through...

If you've been trying to get through to the gallery over the past few days and kept getting a busy signal...the problem's been solved. I've been struggling with telephone difficulty at the gallery for the past 2 weeks and finally seem to have the problem rectified. Sometimes ya just gotta love technology.
So...give us a call...731-423-9708 and we'll answer this time. ;-)

I've been away from the gallery for the better part of June. Special thanks to those artists who volunteered to help at the gallery while I was away. Lots of catching up to do now...so I'd better run.
Rachel

Fun Photos!

Hi Everyone,
I thought you might be interested in seeing a couple photos from recent events.
The photo on the left is of the jazz band Southern Comfort who set up in front of the Dickson Gallery last week for our St Jude Pediatric AIDS benefit "Fine Art & Big Hearts".


The photo on lower left is me and Wendy...my best college bud who came down to Jackson for a visit from Indiana during our Janice Sumler Opening. Here we are standing out in front of the Dickson Gallery cracking up...like we always do.

See...you just never know what sort of fine art fun awaits you at the Dickson Gallery in downtown Jackson, TN.

Tonight...an open house for "Fabulous Friday" always held the last Friday of every month. This evening will be very casual social evening complete with live guitar and of course, fine art!
Happiness,
Rachel

It's was incredible!!! Fine Art, Live Jazz and a great cause...

Wow! What a night it was Friday, May 19th!! If you missed it...you must attend next year's "Fine Art & Big Hearts" event. We will be setting the date for next year's event very soon as we compile the results of this year's (the first year) fabulous evening of live jazz, fine art and benefiting St Jude's Pediatric AIDS program.
Special thanks to jazz band leader Bob Shuttleworth and his guys who played all night...OUTSTANDING LIVE JAZZ!! (thank you band members of Southern Comfort). Also a very special thanks to Creative Catering and the spectacular array of food. The adult beverage selection was great also!
Thanks Chris Nelson for assistance in getting this event started. Thank you again to all our event sponsors listed below. I was so very pleased to myself stand on the sidewalk in front of the Dickson Gallery and feel the joy of hearing live jazz on the street in downtown Jackson linked together with Fine Art and a great cause!
Also...a very special thanks to the assistance of Pat Patrick, Holly Couch, Janice Sumler and Dana Brooks for volunteering their time and efforts to making this event such a success.
Onward to even greater things hosted by the Dickson Gallery downtown.
Happiness,
Rachel

Whew...my apologies for such a long delay in posting here. LOTS been going on. Since our last art opening April 29th...we've been preparing for a spectular event to be held tomorrow night from 7p-10p..."Fine Art & Big Hearts" benefiting St Jude's Pediatric AIDS program. Special thanks to the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation for partnering with us in hosting this event.
Also a very special thanks to our many sponsors!! Namely, Allegra Print & Imaging, Modern Stationer Bella Mèlange Int., Robert's Jewelers, Scott Chiropractic Clinic, Cadillac - Saab of Memphis, Bolivar Salvage & Auto Parts, Druie's Used Cars & Auto Parts, le Diva's, and PJ Signs.
Today I went to Memphis to be on "Checking on the Arts" with Kacky Walton live on WKNO (NPR) radio fm 90.1. What fun! It was such an honor to be asked to speak about the Dickson Gallery of Fine Art, this special event and also speak about the great things going on in downtown Jackson, TN. Hope you can join us tomorrow evening!! It's going to be spectacular. For more information see www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm

Absolutely FABULOUS!!!

Last night was the big art opening for Janice Sumler's "The Spirit of Summer". Can I just say...? WOW! What a great crowd, great live music by Tom Price (thanks Tom!), art sales and another fabulous event downtown at the Dickson Gallery!
Very Special Thanks to Pat Patrick, Harriet Sells and Janice Sumler for helping to make the opening such a success.
If you missed out...no worries...(although you missed a fun time)....the show will continue through May 12th...so come on down and see these newest works by Janice Sumler.
Also...click here to listen to an interview with Janice and myself regarding Janice's experiences as an artist...what she likes to paint, who is her mentor, her experiences in France, and much more!

More Radio!!

Hey there!
We've got a new radio spot on the air announcing the details of our upcoming fine art show with Janice Sumler: "The Spirit of Summer" Click here to listen online...

Also...yesterday we recorded an interview with Janice Sumler (where she talks about her early days as a painter, her painting experiences in Paris, and much more) on "Community Focus" a Jackson, TN 30 minute radio show that will air live tomorrow morning (Sunday, April 23) at 10:30am. We will soon post the show at www.dicksongallery.com so you can listen online any time.

Happy Weekend!
Rachel

It's FRIDAY!!

Hi everyone,
Whew...lots going on here at the Dickson Gallery of Fine Art. Between Jackson Downtown Merchants meetings, Jackson Downtown Development Board meetings, Small Business Advisory Board meetings with the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, preparation for Janice Sumler's upcoming show, planning/preparation for the upcoming "Fine Art & Big Hearts" St. Jude Pediatric Aids Benefit to be held here in May...we're having fun and staying busy!
Soon we will be posting a page on the website all about the St Jude Fundraiser. We'll link it off of the dicksongallery.com homepage.
A little later today...we'll be in the radio studio over on "Radio Road" with WTJS AM 1390 recording an interview with artist Janice Sumler which will air here in Jackson over the weekend. We'll link to it off of our website sometime the beginning of next week. This'll be lots of fun...Janice is a great person and her art experiences are tremendous. I think she's been in the art business nearly as long as I've been alive...and of course she's an amazing artist!
Stay tuned to the Dickson Gallery...we're sure to have the painting you've been looking for to begin or complete your collection or that room you've been working on in your place of work, home or play.
Happiness,
Rachel

Our Next Greatest SHOW!!

Introducing "The Spirit of Summer" an exquisite fine art show April 28 - May 12, 2006 with opening meet the artist reception Friday evening, April 28 from 7:00p-9:00p (in cooperation with Fabulous Friday Downtown) complete with live music by acoustic guitarist by Tom Price.

AND....the first 25 in attendance the night of the opening (April 28) will receive a free art print signed by the artists!

We welcome you to experience these newest works by Janice Sumler and select the one that’s right for you. Year’s from now, you’ll tell yourself “thank you”! Here's your opportunity to start your collection. Please join us!

Click here to learn more about Janice Sumler and this fine art show...

Happiness,
Rachel

We're featured...!

Special thanks to the Tennessee Arts Commission weekly e-news for dicksongallery.com being chosen as the "website of the week" during the week of April 3rd!
To learn more about the TN Arts Commission visit http://www.arts.state.tn.us/ and be sure to sign up to receive this weekly e-newsletter by clicking here .
Happiness,
Rachel Dickson

We were one of the lucky ones...

Severe Storms seem to have a life renewing effect on us. I find myself greatful to be alive, safe and in simply having a home.....Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who's homes were damaged or destroyed, or had family or friends killed in the recent tornadoes that ripped through Dyer County, and Dyersburg, Tennessee as well as Bradford and Newbern, TN. AND Caruthersville, MO. I'm all too familiar with the heaviness such damage creates...but rest assured...this too shall pass.
For details, images and news coverage see www.jacksonsun.com
Warmest Regards,
Rachel

Catchin' Up....aaaaah

Sign of relief...I'm catching up on things today. It's been quiet downtown on this gorgious Saturday afternoon. A few trickle through art lovers...but for the most part the wine and cheese I put out today at the gallery went untouched. But that's ok...I've had a chance to catch up on things.
Have added Jacque Hillman's jewelry to the gallery website: http://www.dicksongallery.com/artist_jacque_hillman.htm and also updated the events section among other things. Of course, I also spent some time cleaning up the gallery from last night's open house. We have probably 50 folks come through last night. It was just what I was looking for...a laid back, casual evening of fine art and fun music. The Acoustic guitar by Rob Allen was GREAT!! ...and of course, Denny Anderson rocked Lafayette Street downtown with his saxaphone playing.
If you didn't make it...you missed another great event at the Dickson Gallery. Check out http://www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm for upcoming events and be sure to join our email list so you don't forget as we know 'tis the busy season.
Happiness,
Rachel Dickson

Fine art & Fine Wine March 31st.

Don't forget...Fabulous Friday is tomorrow night at the Dickson Gallery.
"Fine art & Fine Wine" from 7p-9p.
Come enjoy our relaxed atmosphere, have a glass of wine and meet some of our artists while meadering through and looking at our newest art selections.
Live saxophone by Denny Anderson and acoustic guitar by a very special guest.
See you then!
Rachel
www.dicksongallery.com/events.htm