Lessons from a Grand Opening

To pull a “Fight Club” reference, the first lesson to be learned in an event such as a Grand Opening, is that there is always a lesson to be learned.  My primary lesson for this event: just breathe; it will be ok.

The 24-hours prior to our event were pretty chaotic, which I’m sure is pretty typical.  Due to extenuating circumstances, we were not able to arrange or hang the art until Thursday afternoon/evening.  While the artists did their thing, the rest of us were cleaning furniture, painting trim, running errands.  Just breathe, I kept telling myself, it will all get done.

Here are some pics of the process:

The pieces sit, waiting to be hung.

Doug finishes up the trim on the plum wall.

The exhibit begins to take shape.

By Friday morning, it was apparent–with both West Coast Tacos and our caterer unable to attend–that we were going to have a severe shortage of the snacks I promised.  I put out an urgent plea via text and was so blessed to have members of our community bring things.  We ended up with so much that we didn’t have enough table space!  Thank you to those of you who came to our rescue!

The opening itself went smashingly.  We saw nearly 150 people from all walks of life and places in Indy; it was such a pleasure to meet them and introduce them to our Gallery and vision for the space.

Our new sign!

Jeff Litsey talks with visitors Scott and Charlie.

Enjoying refreshments and conversation.

Visitors enjoying the exhibit.

When all was said and done, the joy of the opening far outweighed the chaos preceding it.  I am so excited to see how this dream continues to develop!

A Grand Opening, indeed!

Less than 4 weeks until the Grand Opening….eeee!

Most recently I have been knee-deep in hanging systems and postcards and artist recruitment…who knew directing a gallery would provide me with such diverse, and very different experiences.  It has been a great learning process, that’s for sure!

Our Grand Opening extravaganza is coming together splendidly.  A dear friend who specializes in vegan cupcakes will providing snacks, as well as delicious offerings from A Cut Above Catering; West Coast Tacos, one of Indy’s favorite food trucks, will be parked out side serving dinner; Yelp will have a table. . .what else?

Oh yeah!  The artists!  (Jk, I could never forget them.)

I am most excited to introduce local artists, Emily Janowiak and Jeff Litsey!  They traveled to Guatemala at the beginning of the summer and will be exhibiting their artistic responses, appropriately titled, Reflections on Guatemala.

Jeff and Emily pause for a picture in Guatemala.

Emily is originally from Lafayette, and a graduate of IU in Bloomington.  She currently teaches art, and is studying to earn her Master’s in Museum Studies from IUPUI.  ”Central to my work,” she notes, “are the pursuit of identity and the complexities of human relationships, both of which are disorganized and without finality.”

by Emily Janowiak

by Emily Janowiak

Jeff Litsey lives in Indianapolis and works as a pro-barista at Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Co.  Whether spinning rosettes in latte foam or painting swirls of blue over mountain scenes, Jeff is intent on expressing his world from an artistic perspective.  He is fairly silent in writing regarding himself and his work, but ask him anything (well, almost anything) and he’ll be glad to engage in conversation.

by Jeff Litsey

by Jeff Litsey

Just seeing these pieces makes me excited to see the entire exhibit!  Reflections on Guatemala promises to be the perfect introduction of our little gallery to the world.  Please join us!  Invite friends and spread the word.  We’ll see you there!