New Permanent Mosaic Exhibit at Creative Genius!

I am going to start this post by saying a great big thank you to Diane Emerson, the wonderful artist responsible for the permanent mosaic exhibit, now displayed on the outside of Creative Genius Art Gallery & Studio.

My husband Chris spent yesterday evening installing the exhibit and I am so excited about how it turned out, I can't even begin to describe it. I took some pictures to share how our evening went and show the progression of things being installed. Thank you, Chris, for doing such a great job with those wonderful works of art!

I am especially excited about this because it showcases one of my favorite local artists who is also one of the nicest people around. She deserves every bit of praise she receives because she truly is a talented and professional individual. We're proud to showcase not only this exhibit but other works of art available for sale from her on a regular basis. She is going to be creating some smaller mirrored mosaics for sale at Creative Genius. The exhibit is not for sale but those smaller ones will be. I have a feeling they will be like candy for the eyes and folks won't be able to get just one. The look of mirrored mosaics has always been a favorite of mine so what better pieces of art to showcase on the outside of Creative Genius...

Chris during installation

Lots of drilling needed for this install!

Lots of stuff needed to make the install happen!

Here's the press release that describes the exhibit:

Medford Gallery Installs Permanent Exhibition by Local Artist

MEDFORD, NJ – Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio welcomes permanent mosaic exhibition by Medford artist, Diane Emerson.

Side view of part of the exhibit

Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio, located at 32 North Main Street in Medford, NJ, has just installed a unique permanent exhibit you won’t want to miss. The outside of the gallery is now the home of nine one-of-a-kind mirrored mosaic tiles by Diane Emerson. The tiles depict various unique creations and unique class offerings that describe all that Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio offers. All the scenes on each mosaic were created using custom ceramic tiles individually crafted by the artist as well as a colorful combination of ceramic, glass and mirrored tiles. Each tile is a true work of art and shows the creativity, color, design elements and attention to detail that Diane Emerson is known for in all her creative works.

Diane works out of her Medford home studio. A retired art teacher, she began working with tile over 30 years ago at Pemberton Township High School. Her students have created many of the mosaic murals and tile pieces that still adorn the school’s walls today.

The artist likes to use handmade tile pieces and mirror in her designs in her mosaics. The handmade tile adds another dimension to the work…glazes that puddle, raised uneven surfaces and a one of a kind look. The mirror adds a little eye-catching whimsy. To quote song writer Stephen Sondheim“ bit by bit, piece by piece…putting it together, only way to make a work of art ”. 

The exhibit sees the light of day!

In addition to her unique mosaic creations, Diane is also a skilled ceramic artist. Her works are available for sale in many venues throughout the region and proudly, one of those venues is Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio.

For more information about Diane Emerson or the permanent exhibition at Creative Genius, please contact Julie Basello-Holt at jbaselloholt@verizon.net or by phone (609) 714-1131.

Creative Genius Art Gallery & Studio is on the web at www.creativegeniusonline.com

10 Important Reasons to Shop Local

The latest buzz in recent years, in the face of our country's economic woes on many fronts, is how important it is to shop locally whenever possible. Personally, I couldn't agree more. In fact, eight years ago, when I opened Creative Genius Art Gallery & Studio, it was because I believed in shopping locally and wanted to create a store that I would want to shop in, located in the town I lived in.

There are so many varied reasons, depending upon who you speak to, as to why shopping local is better for everyone and for the local community and economy. Just visit www.the350project.com if you aren't quite sure about the details and the statistics related to shopping locally. It is all quite an education and one I think we all need, even if it is just  refresher course for some of us. Right now the downtown suburban Main Street on which Creative Genius resides is dangerously in need of more local shops and places to visit and it is scary how quickly a small area can go from a thriving business district to a not-so-thriving business district. The lesson is that it is all of our responsibilities to support the local economy.


I came across this interesting list of "10 Important Reasons to Shop Local" and figured it would be worth it to share it. Thank you to www.10slate.com for the interesting article (and if you want to visit it for yourself, I've included a link)....

A person who shops locally, often known as a “locavore,” helps to sustain not only the environment, but also the economy. Buying locally not only supports your community but also reduces the amount of carbon emissions and pollution because goods do not need to be transported across wide areas and consumers do not need to travel as far to obtain their items. Consider becoming a locavore. As a conscious consumer you will live a more sustainable life and help your community grow. 

1) Local Economy

Your own neighborhood will benefit when you choose to shop locally. Local small business owners tend to keep more money in the community than nationally owned businesses. They also tend to source from other local business, services, and farms, continuing the local trend.

2) Job Growth

Local businesses provide local jobs. This has a chain reaction effect on sustainability and economy. When people are employed, they have more money to invest in the community. They will not have to commute to far away jobs, thus reducing pollution. 

3) Community Support

Local businesses invest heavily in the community. They are more likely to support charitable organizations. When you shop locally, you are helping to support your community through your purchasing power.

4) Better Service

If a small business or farm is trying to earn and maintain your business, chances are they will treat you really well. What is the motivation for a big-box store to make you happy, when millions of other shoppers will replace your business should you choose to shop somewhere else?

5) Environmental Impact

Aside from your food transportation causing pollution, when you have to drive across town to run errands, you are polluting the earth. If your local area has a diverse array of businesses that you can walk or bike to, imagine the potential positive environmental impact. Go green! By supporting these businesses, you will help maintain a thriving local community for everyone.

6) Maintain Diversity

Part of the charm of local businesses is the diversity and uniqueness that it provides to a neighborhood. Big chain stores have taken this away and Main St. America has started to die. Bringing back community supported businesses restores this charm and diversity to neighborhoods and cities.

7) Save Money

Shopping locally can save you a lot of money and time. Gas is expensive, and so is repairing and maintaining a car. Plus, you are more likely to get in an accident in crowded Saturday morning traffic than if you stroll to your neighborhood downtown area. 

8) Know your products

Local businesses are providers of services are experts. Do you remember the last time you walked into that large store looking for expertise? Did you find it? What about when you asked your grocery store produce person when something was in season or if it was fresh. Local providers tend to be able to answer these questions more successfully than the big box people.

9) Competition

There is nothing worse than a monopoly coming into town, driving up prices and diminishing customer service. Local businesses keep competition higher in order to ensure the best prices and highest quality service. Your dollars mean a lot more to a small business than a large store. You can vote with your dollars when you shop locally.

10) Entrepreneurs

Store owners are living the American dream, and by supporting them, you are helping to keep the dream alive, and to maintain a strong and thriving middle class in your community. 

The best lesson from this article: Be a locavore!

To visit this article on the web, got to 

http://www.10slate.com/2011/03/10-important-reasons-to-shop-local/

Why We Hesitate to Buy Art

Just read a fantastic article this morning sent to me by one of my artists (thanks, Eric!). The article speaks about how we experience a natural hesitancy to purchase art and it mentions some very specific points on how to handle the process. I found it really interesting because it covered some points that I often mention to my clients.

Like the author of the article, I have managed a gallery for almost eight years and still find it amazing that people hesitate to purchase things when it is obvious that they really want a piece and they really love it. Some points to consider when we stand in our own way before an art purchase:

Don't be afraid to buy art on impulse. Most art is purchased on impulse and one should not beat themselves up about this. This is absolutely okay. Art evokes emotion and emotion is what attracts you to the piece. Over-analyzing that emotion is pointless. It's like trying to over-analyze any other emotion-generally it doesn't work. You're also supporting a local gallery and an artist with your purchase and both of these entities will continue to be around because of this support. Every little bit helps.

Now, let's say you don't go for the impulse buy. If you are still thinking about a piece the next day, call the gallery back and purchase it. You will kick yourself if a one of a kind work of art escapes you because you hesitated. Creative Genius offers clients the ability to hold a piece for 24 hours with no deposit to help you avoid this pitfall. And you might not realize how many times someone has called back for a piece, only to find that it went home on an impulse buy. If you like it and you are thinking about it after leaving the gallery, buy it. Most galleries, including Creative Genius, offer payment plans like layaway and other methods to make purchasing the piece easier. 

Don't worry about what others think about your choice of art. Your choice is what speaks to you. It is truly irrelevant if it speaks to anyone else. There are plenty of genres of art that some folks find confusing, disturbing or just plain weird. Those same genres attract many collectors. You just never know what will appeal to people and therefore, when choosing your own, stick to what appeals to you. Your neighbor/sister/ best friend can worry about what appeals to them and should not have anything to say about your choices.

When it's time (and you'll know when), give the piece away or sell it to someone so that someone else can enjoy it with a fresh set of eyes.Sometimes art will stay with you forever and sometimes it just won't and either way is okay.

Thank you to  Meegan Holland | The Grand Rapids Press
Great article!