Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberley Cleland.
Kimberley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The Story of Gallery Baroness is a story filled with Travel and Foreign Influence….. Intriguing Right?
Hello to all, My name is Kimberley Cleland and I am a Contemporary Abstract Artist and have been for over 20 years. I have been living overseas for many years in Singapore and in France. However, all that changed when life changed its mind and we were transferred back to the United States in August of 2016. Greater Houston Area, Richmond Texas to be exact.
I as an artist began the slow process of attempting to integrate into the local Art Scene. To find my nitch. There are tons of opportunities in the Greater Houston Area for artist and I have enjoyed it but I missed the flexibility of the Artist-run Galleries of Asia. They just seemed less restrictive and more artist-centric. Focusing more on the Art and the Artist and less on the Business of Art.
That is how the Brick and Mortar Gallery Baroness in Historic Downtown Richmond Texas has come to be. I was looking in many different areas to find my place. Something that was not too stuffy but still cool, a little funky and still had an “in the process” feel to it. I like to get involved near the beginning of a change. It makes me feel like part of the solution. I wanted somewhere I could be part of a community. Where artist meets and support each other as opposed to compete with each other. A place where a true mix of styles and influences could be displayed next to each other offering Art Lovers, Collectors and Artist a place to Meet mix and mingle in a casual atmosphere.
Somewhere Art can change monthly allowing for 10-15 artist to show their work at a time so there was a style for everyone and a soft introduction to Original art in all its beauty and Variety. Somewhere that You can go to a meet the artist with all the fun and busy atmosphere but also a place you can just stop in sit on a bench and contemplate a piece of art that you are considering to be part of your daily life as it hangs in your home or office. That is when I realized I could look forever and never find this idea of my wants and desires or I could take a deep breath and open one up for myself and that is what I did.
After looking for the perfect place I found it much closer to home than I expected in Historic Downtown Richmond Texas. It is a great little Historic District still getting its gentrification on. It has cool boutiques, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, a Saloon and the Unwined Wine Bar just through the pocket door. That brings us to The Post Office #Boutiques. That is where you will find Gallery Baroness. We have the back 800 square feet of this large historic building that still houses a working Post Office…. how cool is that. Please come over to 310 Morton Street in Historic Downtown Richmond Texas and visit Gallery Baroness!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is not always smooth. That is a fact. However how you react is your choice. I have had some amazing opportunities and seen some amazing things living overseas. But of course, everything is not peaches and cream all the time. There is a very very steep learning curve when it comes to new cultures and locals.
And then, of course, there is the limitations of knowing that you could be moving at any moment. It does teach you to take a chance and do it now because tomorrow you may not even be here. That said I have learned so much and I would not change a thing.
Please tell us about Gallery Baroness.
Gallery Baroness is a Fine Art Gallery that shows local Artist on a monthly rotation allowing for the maximum in the exposure of multiple artists. Every Month I have new art and a Meet the Artist Event to help support the Artist by inviting the public in for a complimentary reception and a bit of a party.
I am very open to new art. I do not judge the art on its artistic merit. I like to look at it this way there are lots of different cars out there for a reason, everybody has different taste and the same applies to art. There are simple rules to be part of my gallery. Your art must be what I call wall to wall art. The customer must be able to walk out with a wall /display ready piece of art, No fuss No muss… It is a more direct retail style.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I know this is weird… but I am kinda weird. My favorite memory of childhood is sitting in the driveway and watching the way the oils and dirt lift off of the concrete and mix to create a floating aurora of color. It was so intriguing to me that something considered discard, waste and pollution could be so beautiful with the simple application of an outside material. To this day I still think about that and try to see things that way.
Pricing:
- Art Prices range from $50-$2,000
- Artist Receptions are always Free
Contact Info:
- Address: 310 Morton St Richmond, TX 77469
- Website: www.gallerybaroness.com
- Phone: 832-490-8777
- Email: gallerybaroness@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gallerybaroness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gallerybaroness/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gallery-baroness-richmond
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gallerybaroness/
Image Credit:
Jeffrey Cleland
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
