New Elements Gallery surviving forty years as a fine art gallery seems astounding to me. It actually snuck up on us. I can’t believe that I am here to bear witness. I have been at the helm for 10 of those years, and it has been quite a ride. One of the things I fear most in life is boredom. It has driven a lot of my life decisions-I have an amazing spouse that keeps me on my intellectual toes; it was his idea that we buy the gallery. I love to tell this story. When the former owner decided to put it on the market she sent all the artists letters, and he said “Wow I wonder how much she is asking for the gallery. You should give her a call.” Then he ROLLED OVER AND WENT TO SLEEP, and I stayed up part of the night. And I called the owner the next day.

And now here we are, and every job I have had besides this one has had moments of ennui, but I have never been bored at the gallery. I have been stressed, elated, depressed, fearful, sassy, and brave. Lately I have felt even more emboldened; not because I think the business is indestructible (I take calculated risks), but I do feel called to explore the ideas that I haven’t gotten to do yet. A tour of artistic thrills if you will. 

Using the space in different ways and offering up exposure for our artists with unique programming is one objective. We hosted a wonderful private event last year with live music and catered fare. We would love to do that more often. We offer yoga on Sundays for the public to inspire clients and provide an experience in the gallery as a beautiful wellness space, and that marries my expanding interest in yoga and how it enhances every part of life. 

We are holding space for other creative women by having a book signing event in October for Jameela Dallis. She is a Durham, North Carolina author and poet that we became friends with  while she was writing her latest book. Our staff member Daphne’s band, The Daphne Project will be singing once again in December for a client appreciation event. It has been really gratifying to watch her and her husband launch their business, work on their craft, and build an audience. I always wanted to hold space for artists that may or may not be a typical visual artist.

We are continuing to embrace opportunities to showcase our artists’ work in non-traditional venues (to be announced, no spoilers!) with some opportunities coming up; we have had some great pop ups at Wine Knot private club on Front Street, and also at Schoen Home and Gift. Both are female owned businesses, and it has been great to watch other women entrepreneurs succeed.

I am so grateful to everyone who has worked with us over the years to get us here. We have worked with some wonderful people that have helped us take our “turn key” business to the summit, boasting a flourishing social media platform and a wonderful website/POS system that makes our lives so much easier and also makes us look like the professionals we are.

And no gallery would be anything without the artists that they represent, and we are no exception. The artists that we promote are professionals that are at the height of their craft. We are grateful for you all. I am proud to be included in this community.

By the same token we send out gratitude to the clients that see value in how we do what we do. Thank you to everyone who has ever made a purchase with us; our survival is a feather in your cap too. It is wonderful to watch an institution flower into the space that you knew that it could, a place where ideas are exchanged, energy is renewed, and the worries of the world and all that separates us can be set aside, if only for a few precious moments.

We made it; it took a village. Thank you for your part dear reader.

With much gratitude and love,

Miriam and Lance Oehrlein