Stone Soup Gallery

Photos and Article by Kim Carr

The old fable of stone soup tells of a hungry stranger who comes into a village with nothing more than a stone which he places in a pot of boiling water. By the end, the villagers have gathered together and each contributed to the pot by adding vegetables and meat resulting in a wonderful meal that they all shared. This is the same principle Cory Lawson of Beads from Fire has instilled in the building of the Stone Soup Gallery in Chesterfield Mall.

Cory’s website can be found at: http://www.beadsfromfire.com/

The path that Cory has traveled as an artist and eventual gallery owner has been long and winding. Each journey brought her closer and closer to the dream she now lives and shares with other artists within the community. As a child Cory was strongly influenced by her parents.  Her dad loved photography and drawing while her mom had a BA in Art. With her mother’s artistic eye, Cory learned a love and appreciation for art. Living in New Mexico as a teenager, her mom had a real affection for Native American Art and together they would admire and discuss it. Her mother would explain the composition of art pieces that they found interest in, nurturing a love for the arts that Cory didn’t even realize would have such a deep and long lasting effect on her.

With a strong interest in science, Cory found herself with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health working for Monsanto in the field of protein chemistry and metabolic pathology for over 15 years. When the company downsized, Cory set about raising her three kids. As life would have it, Cory found herself picking up a project that soon had her engrossed which started her on a path toward life as an artist. Cory always enjoyed visiting her Aunt’s house which was covered in art work. She found herself with a stocking that her Aunt had started to decorate but never finished. Cory set out in search of old jewelry which she could repurpose and use on this stocking. Quickly her imagination was captured by vintage beads and the possibilities just ran wild.  While researching the history of beads, she came across an American artist, Michael Barley, a bead maker, and Cory’s path became clear.

You can find Michael’s art work at:  http://www.barleybeads.com/

Excited and fired up about beads, Cory’s research quickly turned to seeking out classes in which she could learn more. After taking a class at the St. Louis City Museum, she came home with a few tools and glass. Completely consumed with trying to make beads, it wasn’t until she took another class with master glass bead maker, Jim Smircich that she learned the techniques of using heat and gravity to make a bead round. Once she learned this skill, one thing led to another. Mastering the art of wire wrapping led to pendants which sparked an interest in making heirloom jewelry which then led her to metal smithing. Cory describes her work as having an ethnic, tribal feel from an ancient civilization that never existed.

For more information on class schedules with Jim Smircich:  http://www.isgb.org/forum/showthread.php?1508-Class-from-Jim-Smircich&p=10154

In time, Cory’s work progressed enough that she found herself doing shows such as the Art Fair at Queeny Park and Art & Air.  Naturally Cory’s creations soon made their way into area galleries. Here it is where her path crossed with John Heusler who had a shop in Chesterfield Mall. Cory started out by working in the shop. One thing led to another resulting in her taking over the gallery space and opening Stone Soup Gallery’s in March 2012. With her background as an artist, it seemed a natural path to travel. In selecting artists for the gallery, Cory looks for those that are passionate about the art they create. All work must be handmade by each individual artist which brings the level of artistry to an all-time high. The attention to detail is easily noticed by her customers.

The gallery has brought about a partnership between the artists and gallery which has been personally enriching for Cory who did not expect the friendships that have formed. She takes great pride in the gallery and the artists that have come together to make it a success. Another partnership she enjoys is with the Best of Missouri Hands. As a corporate member, Cory appreciates the level of excellence which is associated with the BOMH name. It helps bring the gallery into a bigger community allowing greater exposure which is a benefit to the gallery and its artists.

Stone Soup Galleries is located on the lower level of Chesterfield Mall just outside of Dillards.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 – 7:00 and Sundays Noon – 4:00. Cory invites everyone to stop by the gallery to enjoy the work of several area artists with everything from jewelry, sculpture, photography, painting, glass, fiber and more. Cory has a studio at home in which she does her metal smithing but also has a working table at the gallery where you may often catch her doing lampwork. When not at the gallery, she enjoys playing Words with Friends, cooking a delicious meal for her family or taking care of the family pets which include two dogs, a sugar glider and a very vocal Quaker parrot.

In her new role as gallery owner Cory has brought artists together providing space for them to exhibit and sell their work. Stone Soup is no longer a fable. Each artist adds their own flavor bringing this community closer to each other  as they strive for a common goal: feeding the human soul with art.

For more information about the gallery please visit: http://stonesoupgalleries.com/index.html