Geana’s Art Gallery: What a Difference a Year Made...
ByBruce Collier April 20, 2006 Issue

Geana Wilkerson opened Geana’s Art Gallery in Miramar Beach a year-and-a-half ago. In the back of her mind was a statistic, the one that says half of all new businesses fail in their first year. However, the end of her first year saw not failure, but an opportunity. Two other businesses in her Emerald Coast Parkway shopping complex moved out.

“When the space became available,” she says, “I had been thinking, ‘what do I do next?’” Wilkerson leased the space, made some changes, and correspondingly expanded her stock. The gallery stocks and sells even more
artwork than before, ranging from what she calls “condo art” to big-ticket “fine art.” She is also able to offer custom framing, all done in-house. Much of the newly acquired space is devoted to custom framing, owing to a series of fortunate events.

Wilkerson had been contracting out some framing work, and was planning to advertise for a specialist in custom framing. She says that very shortly after she made her decision, a customer came into the gallery. “They recommended a framer who had lived here, and was now living in Illinois. He wanted to move back.”

Then, she adds, “the ball started rolling.” The framer, Tom Reigle, found a place to live near the gallery, then raised the money to move, and is now the one-man framing department.

And a well-equipped framer he is. Wilkerson proudly says that hers is the only gallery in the area with a vacuum press. The press, “a very expensive piece of equipment,” can press out folds and wrinkles in photos, maps, letters, or any other item to be framed. Reigle now turns out custom-made frames, and has all the work he wants. “It’s all in the timing,” says Wilkerson. “This was a blessing for both of us.”

In addition to the new framing facilities, Geana’s main gallery area is now adjoined by a smaller, more intimate back room. The back room is more softly lit—partly by a pair of sea turtles—fashioned from hard resin and colored glass, which serve as a sort of Tiffany Turtle lamp. There’s carpet and comfortable chairs. The walls are adorned with the work of the gallery’s roster of “name” artists. Each artist’s biography is displayed near the work. Wilkerson has expanded her stock of “documented” work, art by established names, some of it appraised at impressive prices. In addition to widely known names, the gallery carries the work of local artists.

“I feature three or four [local artists] at a time,” says Wilkerson. “We rotate out after six months.”

Maintaining a stock that will appeal to a range of tastes—and budgets—requires regular buying trips. Wilkerson typically makes at least two trips a month, often for special viewings of the work of favorite artists. Her next trip will take her to Miami.

The trips seem to have been productive. Walking around Geana’s Art Gallery, one sees stacks of paintings, ranging in size from less than a foot square to half the height of the walls. In addition to paintings, there are photographs, pottery and ceramics, bronzes, sculptures, and dozens of empty frames. The frames are available for in-house framing, or customers can go the do-it-themselves route. Wilkerson, who comes from an interior design background in Birmingham, adds that professional decorators and designers “are always welcome in my gallery.”

There seems to be no particular limit on subject matter. One finds the customary sea and beach scenes, tropical birds and dolphins. Even one of the bronzes is a pair of golfers. At the same time, there’s a Paris street scene, some Mediterranean landscapes, chess pieces, monkeys, still life, abstracts, and the occasional religious piece.

Wilkerson declines to be specific on long-term future plans. She plans to showcase the work of a highly regarded local photographer in April, and will continue to strive to make hers the best art gallery in the southeast. Even if she opens satellite galleries, she says that the Emerald Coast Parkway gallery will remain her main store.

Wilkerson considers herself well blessed. She is grateful to God, her husband, and her many loyal customers. “I believe that this is what we’re supposed to be doing,” she says. “We’ve seen four hurricanes and three tropical storms, and survived.”

“My lease is a long-term lease. I’ll be here a long time.” Geana’s Art Gallery is located in Miramar Beach and the telephone number is 650-0779.

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