Brand New Art Gallery Opens
The store. Photo by Connie Shakalis.
Just west of downtown Bloomington, Ind., is a new haven for lovers of art, coffee, wine, gift shopping and solace. Juniper Art Gallery, having left Spencer, Ind., beckons from W. Kirkwood.
Remember where the tea shop used to be on W. Kirkwood Ave? You can still get a cup of tea, coffee—and soon, beer or wine, along with snacks, even though it's no longer a tea shop.
"We got the last beer and wine license left in Monroe County!" said owner and curator Jaime Sweany.
Welcome, Juniper Art Gallery, which has moved from its Spencer, Ind., location of 4 1/2 years to Bloomington's near west side. Sweany's business has several display rooms, plus an artisans' studio.
"Making sure everything looks right in the space is a creative process," she said when I visited Mar. 5. And creative it is. Clutter and chaos are best friends and can invade, as a destructive team. They can snarl patron foot-traffic patterns and overwhelm ears and eyes and noses.
Not here though. Yes, Sweany provides jazz (mostly) music, scents from candles, and plenty of color palettes on the art-packed walls. But it all fits together. Nothing seems jumbled or unplanned.
Jaime Sweany in the Juniper Art Gallery. Photo by Connie Shakalis.
It was a lovely way to spend part of a springish afternoon. Fresh daffodils and roses completed the winter's-ending tone. In fact, Sweany reported that our own Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington's Henry Leck and Tom Duffy had shown up on opening day with tulips
"Henry and Tom were our very first visitors." The card on their tulips read, "Go, Girl!"
Upon opening day the wall space was already full. Most exhibiting artists are local. Each spring and fall, however, Sweany will rotate the works to give other artists an opportunity to be seen in this space, convenient to downtown.
At the front of the gallery, to the right as you enter, is the "Paul and Margaret Sweany Legacy Room." These are Jaime's parents, both of whom were successful, working artists, and Jaime offers some of their works for sale.
Speaking of "for sale," get over there if you need a gift, some earrings, a jar-candle, a clever greeting card, something to wear, a fine art painting or sculpture, a bit of me time—you get the idea.
Something I liked about the old tea shop was its front and back porches and free parking lot. Sweany has kept all, and as weather warms, they will get a workout.
Ever a music lover, Sweany is going to bring in live music, doing weekly jazz nights and other events.
"I've been a big music fan my whole life."
Her only, or at least main, fear is that "we'll be too popular, and people won't be able to crowd themselves in."
What a problem to have. Although, she's not off point to have such wariness.
According to Forbes, growing a business too quickly can harm it. Without enough things like staff, money, product, marketing it can't keep going.
Artworks in Juniper Art Gallery. Photo by Connie Shakalis.
In fact, Sweany will be looking for an additional employee, one with food handler certification.
Hours, for now, are limited but will increase.
Temporary hours for March:
Wednesday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m
Thursday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m (open till 8 p.m. for First Friday Gallery Walks)
Saturday: 11 a.m. -5 p.m. (open later for special events)
Sunday Noon - 4 p.m.
Mon & Tues: Closed (till new staff is hired)
"We plan to operate seven days per week with extended hours ASAP!"
Juniper Art Gallery is at 615 W. Kirkwood Ave., 812-822-1663, https://juniperartgallery.com/.
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