Waverly House Gifts and Gallery: Featured Corporate Member

Owner Eunice Waller recently answered a few questions,

1. I know many members are familiar with Waverly House as a longtime member and supporter of BOMH. But for those who don’t please us a little bit about Waverly House Gifts and Gallery.

Waverly House is a fine art and fine craft gallery that began in 1987.  We represent artists from the area as well as from across the country in oils, watercolors, pastel, fiber, batik, pottery, glass, jewelry, wood and mixed media.

2. Can you tell us some history as to how you came to operate the Gallery?

After being a teacher, then full time mom, then working for a not-for-profit, I was interested in starting my own business. We started out as a bit of a mix of art and general gift, quickly moving to all fine art and fine craft with the exception of our year-round Christmas Room, which is totally separate. My husband was a business owner and was my business mentor. We rebuilt on the same site in 1991 to enlarge our space and add the upstairs gallery where we have changing shows. I have always been interested in art and a supporter of the arts in Springfield.

3. Why do you feel it’s important to support Missouri and local artists?

Just as I want local customers to continue to support us, we try to support our local and regional artists.  We do add artists from across the country to get a good mix for our customers.

4.  Are you an artist?

I am not an artist.  I always say, I have taken just enough art classes to appreciate what these artists are capable of doing.

5.  If you could give artists 4 or 5 key points about working with Galleries what would they be?

1. Check out the gallery to see if it is a good fit for your work.
2. Do your homework and be prepared with a resume’ and significant body of work.
3. Ask for a gallery application. Do not bring in work for the gallery owner to look at without an appointment. For the benefit of the artist and the gallery, the customer must come first so it is very unprofessional to expect the gallery to look at your work on the spur of the moment.
4. Once you are accepted, keep a good working relationship with the gallery. Loyalty is a two way street – gallery to artist and artist to gallery. Follow the guidelines as set forth in your gallery agreement.

6. What are some of your upcoming events?

• Opening on the First Friday in May, we will feature Birds in Watercolor by David Plank, a well known Missouri artist. This show will run concurrently with a large show of his work at Springfield Art Museum. This show will also feature Missouri artist Bill Decker with his gourd sculpture.
• June and July will feature a juried show, “Inner Spaces, Outer Limits”, open to any artist 18 years or older.
• In August we feature the PBS Kids exhibit of the winners in the Young Authors and Illustrators contest.
• September is our month to have our “Meet the Artist” event.  Many of our artists are invited to take part and demonstrate on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon on September 6th and 7th.
• Opening the First Friday in October will be paintings of Cindy Kopenhafer and Deborah Wilson and jewelry by Janet Scherrer.
• November 7th will be another juried show and silent auction to benefit A Sporting Chance.  Last year we raised over $5,000 for this charity.

Anything  else you feel is important to you and that you would like to share.

As a gallery owner and as artists, always remember that the customer must be treated with the utmost respect and the gallery staff must be knowledgeable and well informed to speak with the customer. Owning a gallery does not just mean standing behind the counter. To be successful, work must continually be done “behind the scenes.”

Eunice Wallar
Waverly House Gifts and Gallery
2031 S. Waverly 
Springfield, MO 65804
(417) 882-3445
www.waverlyhouse.com
Representing regional and national artists since 1987