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About Us |
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Marietta Foster Smith had the vision... The Story of Rail Walk Studios & Gallery When Marietta Foster Smith moved to Salisbury in August of 2005, she and her husband Mark loved it from the moment they saw it. Marietta knew that’s where she wanted to do her art. “I knew that Salisbury had lots of artists and a wonderful orchestra and theater and the fabulous Water Works Visual Art Center. I expected to have an easy time finding downtown space for my studio. I was surprised and disappointed to find that there was so little space available that would be suitable for doing sculpture and large paintings.” December 2005 The Quest Marietta began in earnest looking for studio space. She talked to everyone she met and tried to convince shop owners to open their upstairs space for a studio. She met with Randy Hemman and Betz Bigelow at Downtown Salisbury, Inc., where she saw exciting plans to develop the rail-walk area of N Lee St. into an arts district. Randy took her to meet Glenn and John Ketner of Rowan Investments, Inc., owners of the old warehouses on N Lee St. Glenn and John were very enthusiastic about the plans. They introduced her to Keith Collins, who had opened Cascade Sculpture two doors up, and showed her some of the spaces. Most were currently being used as warehouses, but they promised to call if the space she liked became available. March 2006 The Opportunity John Ketner called to say that the space she liked, 409 N Lee, was being vacated by the landscape company that had been storing tractors, mulch, straw, etc. It was bigger than she needed or could afford and needed a lot of TLC to make it usable for artists. She was certain that if she could clean it up and start working, she would attract other artists to share the space. The Ketners agreed and gave her until the end of July to find at least two other artists. April 2006 The Challenge Marietta and Mark borrowed a pressure washer, loaded up hoses, brooms, Clorox, and vacuum cleaners and got to work. By the end of the month, the walls had been patched and painted, and Marietta set up her art studio in the back corner and declared the place “Rail Walk Studios & Gallery,” in keeping with the city’s future plans. May 2006 The Campaign Marietta worked in the studio and hit the streets with posters and post cards, advertising for other artists. Several came by, but the fit wasn’t quite right. June 2006 One More Artist Bruce Wilson of Fine Frame and Gallery gave her the number of an artist he thought was ready for a professional studio space. Norma Velasquez Frink, figurative sculptor and painter, returned Marietta’s call and came down to visit the studio. They hit it off instantly and they both knew it was “right.” Norma picked the other back corner and began to set up. July 2006 The Deadline Approaches Time was running out. It was nearly the end of July and Rail Walk was still one artist short. Marietta was working in her space with the doors open when a lovely couple strolled by. They came in and asked about the studios. They had recently moved from Lexington. She was a retired school counselor. He was an artist. August 2006 Success! It turns out Jimmy Alston, a pastel artist and musician, and his wife Leslie, were not just on a casual stroll. They had been looking for a space to use as Jimmy’s studio and a gallery to exhibit his art. They chose the front corner and moved in. November 2006 Official Opening Jimmy, Norma, and Marietta worked on the studio and created art and were finally ready with a fabulous grand opening in November. April 2007 The Set is Complete Annette Hall, watercolorist, acrylic painter, and pastelist, came to North Carolina on a scouting trip from Washington State to look for a new town, a new house for herself and her husband Don, and a studio space. Annette had visited several towns, selected Salisbury, found a house, and was looking for a studio. Greg Rapp of ERA introduced her to Michael Baker who told her about Rail Walk. Annette toured the space and it was clear that the set was complete. She selected the other front corner and set up her extensive collection of art and art equipment. June 2007 The Wall Goes Up Mark Smith, with help from Don Hall and Jimmy Alston, completed the wall to set aside the front space for a group gallery. The first group exhibit in the finished gallery space opens June 16th. July 2007 What’s Next? The Ketners have been so pleased with the progress at Rail Walk, they are opening the space next door for additional studios and galleries. If you are looking for a space, call Marietta at 704-431-8964.
December 2007 Renovations Nearly Complete The adjacent space is nearly ready for occupancy. Artist Patt Legg and the Rowan Arts Council have signed leases for part of the new area.
January 2008 The "new" Rail Walk Studios & Gallery Everyone moved back to the renovated/remodeled Rail Walk Studios & Gallery. Artist Patt Legg took Annette Hall's old space. Annette took a larger space in the new area. Everyone got hard to work customizing and setting up their studio spaces. Plans for a grand reopening in March after the Rowan Arts Council moves were talked about.
February 2008 Rowan Arts Council moves in The Rowan Arts Council has moved in. The artists have nearly completed the customizing and setting up of their individual studio spaces. Painting and decorating the shared gallery space has begun. Plans for the grand reopening on March 7th are in discussion. The Rowan Arts Council will have their open house on the same day.
March 2008 Grand Reopening of Rail Walk Studios & Gallery
On Friday, March 14, 2008, the grand reopening was celebrated. All the hard work was done and everything looked beautiful. JAlston & Company provided soft jazz music and there was plenty of delicious food and beverages. Gift certificates for a free gourmet coffee at Spenzanelli’s were given out to the first 40 visitors, courtesy of Rail Walk and Rowan Investment Co. During the event, and until the end of March, donations were collected for the families of the fallen fighters who perished in the March 7th Salisbury Millworks fire to be deposited in the fund at the Bank of North Carolina.
April 2008 Rowan Arts Council to have its open house
On April 18, 2008, The Rowan Arts Council celebrated its move to Rail Walk Studios & Gallery with an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
May 2008 Artist Sharon Forthofer moves in
On May 1, 2008, Sharon moved into the next-to-the-last space available at Rail Walk. She is an oil painter who moved from Texas recently with her husband. She also does fine art giclée prints for artists and photographers. June 2008 Artist Carol Dunkley moves in
On June 9, 2008, Carol, who has lived in Salisbury for over 20 years, moved into the last available space at Rail Walk. She paints colorful impressionistic art, specializing in unique paintings of colorful and cocky roosters. |
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E-mail: info (at) railwalkgallery (dot ) com Phone: 704-431-8964 Location: 409–413 N Lee St. Salisbury, NC 28144
HOURS: Tues—Sat 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. The gallery/studio is also open by appointment. If the |
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Web site design and hosting courtesy of Annette R. Hall. Rail Walk logo design by Marietta F. Smith. All images on this site are © 2008 by Annette R. Hall, or Marietta F. Smith, or Norma V. Frink, or Jimmy Alston, or Patt Legg, or Sharon Forthofer, or Carol Dunkley. All rights reserved. |