Kathleen: Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery
Kathleen Palmer is the owner of Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery. Kathleen worked in the corporate world, before opening her gallery in 2005. Kathleen has received the “Excellence in Arts Award” from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission in 2006. The award was given for her exemplary dedication to encouraging arts in the community, volunteerism and philanthropy. She started the BernARTsville Art Walk, which draws 200-600 people to the gallery nine Friday evenings a year.
What is the focus in your gallery?
The paintings in the gallery are mostly traditional, realist and some impressionist work. I have found a market segment in this area that enjoys art and want to connect with the subject matter. They want to buy pieces that they can live with and enjoy every day.
Share your process of accessing art.
I receive 6-8 requests for representation a month. I choose carefully. I know my market, the type of decorating styles they use in their homes, their taste in color and preference in subject matter. I choose paintings of local scenes and things that I think my clientele will feel comfortable living with in their home. I seldom reject any pieces brought to me by the artists that I work with. The gallery has a very good reputation and very good reasonably priced art.
Is there something specific that you look for?
We hang the gallery several times per year. I look for color, composition and subject matter. I don’t carry abstract pieces because that style doesn’t typically appeal to the clients in my area. I work with several realist painters, such as Gary Godbee and Thomas Valenti who are both recognized for their work in NJ. I was introduced to art glass by Jake Pfeiffer, an artist who specializes in glass blowing, whom I met when he was around 16 years old. I now represent 8 glass artists and am a member of the Glass Arts Society.
Do you deal directly with the artist?
I work directly with the artists and currently represent about 25 of them. All but a handful of the artists live in the area, although I get requests from people all over the world. Sometimes I take in second market work, but only pieces done by artists that I represent.
Are pieces taken on consignment? If so, how long are they displayed?
Yes, all of the artwork is taken on consignment, typically for 6 months. As our gallery shows are seasonal, we would not often show beach scenes during the winter or snow scenes in the summer. The intention of the gallery is to give local artists a place to show their artwork, which they never had before. All of the painters that we work with live within 20 miles of the gallery.
What called you to the profession?
Having recently retired from my IT career, I was managing a property for my husband. The property initially housed 7 artists who painted and exhibited privately. After 5 of the artists moved away, 2 artists remained and rather than close up shop, I decided to open the gallery. The name Studio 7 is homage to the original 7 artists who started in the space.
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