The Art Corner

Our Pledge!

2012-01-21T22:09:00.000-05:00

Forget the big "Deals" of the Big Box Stores of 60% off custom framing! We offer BETTER value for your dollar. "They" promise the moon--we give you the Real Deal.
Best Design--we have decades of design experience; Best Service--we know our customers; Best Price--for REAL! No overblown hidden mark-ups.
And we back up our service. If you decide, after the fact that you don't like the frame or mat, we'll replace it for FREE! Second change is on YOUR dime! Hee, hee!

Just sayin'.
Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net
Store hours: Mon-Sat 9-5
Facebook: the art corner

A GIANT ORDER!

2012-01-18T22:37:00.000-05:00

Here is a recently completed order, or, more precisely, most of it! You can see five of the seven panels that form one scene. (Except that I'm standing in front of one! Oops!) Salem artist James Chisholm created this "heptadich." Brush and ink on heavy watercolor paper in a Japanese Sumi style. (That's "sumi" not "sumo!" Hee, hee!)

Jim paints in oils mainly and watercolor "en plein aire." He teaches and has taught at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Mass, at the Museum School in Boston, at the PEM in Salem. His works are in the permanemt collections at the Museum School, Harvard and Montserrat, among many others.

The framing of these pieces seemed daunting at first, but were, in essence, simple. They were originally painted on three giant pieces of paper, which I had to--with the full permission of the artist--cut into the seven pieces. Measure twice, cut once! Measure again, just to be sure. Order the frame stock, build the frames. Cut the mats, measure again, cut the plexi-glass. Measure once more!!! Weigh the paintings down on the Acid-Free foamcore backings and measure again, then, using Acid-Free tape--tape down on the top edge and a little down the sides--NOT all the way across the top and sides, just at two points on top and once on the sides near the top!! Place the mat, taping that down onto the foamcore, with the tape not touching the artwork. Throw on the plexi and throw it into the frame and we're done!

Beauty!
Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net
Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-24T22:50:00.000-05:00

Last Christmas order picked up at 12:45; closed up tight by 1pm. Done for another busy Art Corner Christmas season!

Happy, joyous holdays to all our customers, new, old, and potential!

Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington St
Salem, Ma 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net
Mondays to Saturdays 9 to 5.

CHRISTMAS!!!!!

2011-12-19T21:52:00.000-05:00

Here it is.

We are done. We can only use our Ready-Made Frames or what we have in stock in the basement for your Framing Needs.

Please be by 9 to 5 every day this week, except Saturday, Christmas Eve, when we hope to be Home to our Families at 1 pm.

Wendy

Competitors

2011-11-17T22:23:00.000-05:00

Received a coupon in the mail from a competitor and it's Christmas custom framing schedule, which states it will no longer accept Christmas custom framing after December 11.

RIDICULOUS!

We will "custom" frame right up until Christmas Eve! (We may have to scour the basement for a suitable frame style that we "may" have in stock, or "fit" your piece into a ready-made frame, but we can accomodate!)

The ONLY "cut-off" date we will ask for is on Needle Point framing and Shadowbox and multiple opening mats and other "odd" framing. And that date would be around the 11th.

Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net
Mondays to Saturdays, 9 to 5.

NEW Featured Projects!

2011-08-15T23:24:00.000-04:00

Bobby Orr signed jersey in a shadowbox frame.

A BEAUTIFUL Gold-Leafed frame for a customer's grandmother's Victorian photo, with a fine linen mat and fillet, with ArtGlass UV protection. GORGEOUS!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon to Sat, 9-5.

Featured Projects

2011-06-12T15:01:00.004-04:00

Here is a couple of recently completed "special projects."

One is a French Mat. The other is a shadowbox of a painting.

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington St

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5pm.

POSTER SPECIALS!

2011-01-02T10:55:00.002-05:00

Introducing NEW Poster Specials!

9 colors to choose from: Silver, Frosted Silver, Gold, Frosted Gold, German Silver, Frosted Walnut, Shiney Black, Antique Gold and Satin Black. More colors available for $10 extra.

UP TO 16"X20"---$59

UP TO 24"X36"---$69

UP TO 32"X40"---$79

UP TO 36"X48"---$99

(Includes Plexi-glass over 32"x40")

Special includes:

METAL MOULDING, DRY-MOUNT AND REGULAR GLASS.

Turn around time is aproximately two weeks.

THE ART CORNER

264 WASHINGTON STREET

SALEM, MA 01970

978-745-9524

ARTCORNERSALEM@VERIZON.NET

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9-5pm

A TRIP DOWN THE KEYHOLE

2010-07-21T21:57:00.004-04:00

"Radiant Larvae" by Rebecca deVries.

Our fantastic exhibit this month of July is called "A Trip Down the Keyhole" by assemblage artists Josh and Rebecca deVries. The exhibit will hang until August 1st and maybe beyond. We'll see how it goes.

"Silenced Augur" by Rebecca deVries.

Rebecca and Josh deVries are a husband-wife collaborative team who work with various mediums out of their Salem, MA home. Inspired heavily by one another, they are also influenced by a notion of antique macabre. Working with mixed-media found objects is their passion, juxtaposing metal textures with antique papers, animal bones and old-fashioned graphics and photographs. Both artists assemble their work by hand, without the use of a digital medium. They hope their collection inspires viewers to look beyond the ordinary objects used in their pieces to realize that even the lifeless still retains life.

Work by the deVries is available for sale year-round in Salem’s Picklepot Gallery and is featured annually at the Terror-Fantasies Art Show in October. Rebecca’s assemblages were exhibited in The Little Gallery Under The Stairs (TLGUTS) show “Voices: Mothers Who Create” in Lynn, February 2010 and her work is currently exhibited as part of the Paste-Up collage show at the ALL Arts Gallery in Lowell, MA. Work by both Josh and Rebecca was featured in the 2010 Salem Festival of Art juried show at Old Town Hall.

The opening Meet the Artists reception was very well received. It was to run 6-9pm on July 16, but went until after 11! Red Dots now adorn many of the labels! Don't miss out!

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5.

What's new!

2010-06-07T23:34:00.002-04:00

Hey!

We've been busy through the Spring. We've discovered a Trend. Many artists are framing for exhibits--multiple pieces. Many regular customers are framing multiple pieces.

OR we are framing HUGE pieces and having to scramble around to accomodate the HUGE sizes! Normally, we can safely frame 40"x60" pieces. Larger than that creates a problem, but it depends. For an oil painting on canvas, we can do much larger, but we have to keep in mind what size we can move in and out of the cellar of the building! The doorways down there are only so big!

Matting something larger than 40'x60' is possible, but not by US, as our mat cutter will only handle 60".

Plexi is the ONLY option from us for anything larger than 36"x48". Our glass cutting machine will handle larger, but we like our FLESH too much to risk that!

Same as something VERY SMALL! The smaller the piece, the closer to the electrical RPM spinning saw our FINGERS get! We LIKE our fingers! We don't want to see them separated from our knuckles! Nothing less than 5" can be done. Hand saws can do much smaller dimensions, but that is not what we do. We want to get your orders done quickly and precisely!

Our prices aren't bad either!

Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
Store hours: Mon-Sat 9-5
artcornersalem@verizon.net

NEW Bahnahnah Show coming!

2010-04-12T23:15:00.006-04:00

The "Art That Has A-Peel" show has come down today at the Kensington-Stobart gallery. BUT the Bahnahnahs WILL be back in August at Grosvenor Park in Vinnan Square! Also, I will have my Salem Black Cats on display! PLUS Chuck will have some of his latest Seascape series and I will have some of my Horse Power series as well.

Check it!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Store hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5

Art That Has Ap-peel

2010-03-02T09:40:00.003-05:00

Charles Lang is having a party! Thursday, March 11, 5-7pm at the Kensington/Stobart Gallery, at the Hawthorne Hotel, at the Common, Salem, MA.

Come see his "amusingly appetizing, temptingly tasty, deliciously flavorful collection of paintings featuring bananas engaged in their wild, whimsical escapades!

The exhibit will run from March 4-31. Please call 978-825-0022 for more information.

THANKS!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Store hours: Mon-Sat 9-5

Window Displays!

2010-02-25T22:47:00.004-05:00

Our window displays for February won the Honorable Mention--Second Place!--for most Whimsical! We call it "Paws-itively Purr-fect Together--Polar Bears and Pussy Cats!"

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA, 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5

ICE SCULPTURE!

2010-02-12T08:28:00.004-05:00

Here is our beautiful ice sculpture for 2010: "Phoenix Raising From The Flames."

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5pm.

2010 Ice Sculpture Festival

2010-02-06T22:26:00.002-05:00

We are participating again this year. Come see our BEAUTIFUL sculpture! (It will last FAR longer this year than last! At LEAST a couple of days, instead of a couple of hours! IF the weather holds out. And the forecasts seem to be favorable!)

I'll post photos tomorrow.

Wendy
The Art corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net
Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5pm.

SALEM'S SO SWEET CHOCOLATE AND ICE SCULPTURE FESTIVAL!

2010-01-31T21:57:00.002-05:00

Head's up!

This year's So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival is THIS WEEKEND!

We have an ice sculpture on order and will have a window display as part of the window display contest. VOTE OFTEN!

Charles Lang will be painting his "Bahnahnahs" and we may have a mother and daughter singing performance. BEST will be the Launch of the NEW North Shore Writers Group's BOOK! "A Reader's Potluck." 14 stories and poems about FOOD! For sale now and for $10. Order yours NOW!

Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

Christmas Store Hours

2009-12-23T07:56:00.002-05:00

The store hours for the holiday are as follows:

Christmas Eve Day: 9-12

Christmas Day: CLOSED

Saturday, December 26: CLOSED

Sunday, December 27: CLOSED

New Years Eve Day: 9-12

New Years Day: CLOSED

Saturday, January 2: CLOSED

Sunday, January 3: CLOSED

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington St

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

2009-11-17T09:09:00.004-05:00

Halloween is over, the pumpkins have all be carved and the seeds roasted. The leaves are off the trees.

What's next? CHRISTMAS! An even crazier a time for us than Halloween. Things have picked up pace since November 1st.

CUSTOM FRAMING MAKES A GREAT GIFT! Come in early; we anticipate working lots of overtime--even opening on Sundays.

Get something beautiful framed beautifully!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Store hours:

Mon-Sat, 9-5, Thursdays until 8pm.

Halloween in Salem

2009-10-28T23:18:00.003-04:00

The Art Corner will be closed on Halloween.

Come, instead, to Terror Fantasies Art Show in the Museum Place Mall! Have fun in Salem on the holiday and see some GREAT, spooky art!

Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington Street
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

NIGHTMARES

2009-10-07T22:39:00.003-04:00

Our October show is called Nightmares. We have 24 pieces on display, which works out just fine for the space we have available. We asked artists to give us their "worst" or "best" nightmares, and they have provided!

This exhibit is STRONG and also appealling, despite the title. We've sold a piece already! Seems someone's "worst" nightmare is someone else's "best!"

Wendy
The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, Mass 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5pm. Thursdays until 8.

ROCKET SCIENCE HELD OVER!

2009-07-27T22:28:00.003-04:00

We are holding over Johnna Klukas' and Jim Belfiore's exhibit for two more weeks.

1. Because of popularity--

2. Because Charles Lang isn't ready quite yet to hang HIS exhibit, orginally scheduled for the month of August, but will be hanging for the last 2 weeks of August, and all of September.

The exhibit will be called, either, "A-peel-ing Art" or "I've Gone Bah-nah-nahs!" We will decide soon. What do YOU think? He has over 40 pieces to display and to SELL!

Thanks,

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Monday through Saturday--9-5. Thursdays until 8

Salem Old Town Hall Exhibit

2009-07-09T22:59:00.002-04:00

This weekend, July 11 & 12, the Art Corner and the Salem Arts Association is sponsoring an event called "Artworks II."

Featured will be works by Nancy Barnes, Charles Lang, Elaine Snow and Wendy Snow-Lang.

We all work at, or are "intimately associated with" the Art Corner. We intend to STUFF Old Town Hall with ART Saturday and Sunday! Come on by and see our madness!

Wendy

IT'S NOT (REALLY) ROCKET SCIENCE

2009-07-07T09:23:00.003-04:00

Our exhibit for the month of July is called "It's Not (Really) Rocket Science," featuring works in wood by wood artist Johnna Klukas. She has been nominated for 5 Chesley Awards, given annually by the Association of Science Fiction Artists, and has won two. She has designed and built two bases for the Hugo Award, given each year for excellence in Science Fiction. She is a member of the Salem Arts Association, the American Association of Wood Turners and Southern Maine Wood Turners. Using a lathe as her primary tool, Johnna carves out rocket ships, alien landscapes and star cruisers in a variety of exotic and elegent woods. She never uses wood stains, allowing the wood's natural beauty and color to accent the pieces. Johnna's work is breathtaking!

Also displaying at the Art Corner is Johnna's husband, James Belfiore. Jim's work is digital imaging and his display is called "Orbital Crossings." His images are whimsical and haunting, of alien landscapes and space flight.

Friday, July 17, 6-9pm you can meet Johnna and Jim at the Art Corner for a reception in their honor.

THANKS and hope to see you there!
Wendy
the Art Corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net
Store hours: Monday - Saturday, 9-5, Thursdays until 8pm

THE NEW SPACE!

2009-06-04T08:21:00.007-04:00

We are all moved in! And open and out of the temporary space entirely!

Here are some images: First--the design wall and tables.

Here is the gallery area and the comfy couch.

More of the gallery space--along the white half walls and behind them is workspace, where we fit the frames for customers.
The back room work area, with the dry mount press centered and the mat cutter to the right, behind the half wall.Thanks for taking the tour!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon to Sat 9-5

Starting end of June, Thursdays until 8!

MOVING IN!

2009-05-22T22:12:00.002-04:00

We are moving into our original location THIS WEEKEND, May 22 to 26. We will re-open at that location--264 Washington Street--on Wednesday, May 27.

In spite of the "closed" signs I have posted at our temporary location, we have made sales there today! While I certainly don't want to turn away business in this economy, we need to have the undivided time to move all our "Stuff" back to the original space.

Our insurance adjustor is ready to Sign the final Check: he just wants a final "tour" of the rebuilt store in order to okay that. THEN, all you patient people can get your claims! BUT the insurance company needs VALID receipts! Unfortunately, "sentimental" pieces mean NOTHING to the insurance companies. You need the kind of receipt that would stand up in COURT, it seems. Bring 'em in! CALL me!

I think about this dilemna daily: how can I maintain my "goodwill" with you, the customer, when the insurance company says it'll do NOTHING for those who lost valueable family memories? How can I say that my business is "fully insured" when it is, indeed, NOT? How can I let YOU know that your pieces are SAFE with us, when our insurance company won't insure that?

We do everything we can to protect your work: store them in folders under counters that are not disturbed in any way except when we are ready to work on your piece. The storage areas are up off the floor and contained. (This is why MANY of your works were preserved after the fire!) Because of the volume of the work we store, we can't keep everything in fire or water proof safes.

There are options. We are more than happy to have you bring in a piece to be measured and designed and you bring it back home with you until the framing materials are in house and we are ready to work on it. We'll call you and you can expect your piece to be completed that day that you bring it in!

I guess that I am trying to reassure everyone that we TREASURE every piece brought to us for framing and that there are circumstances outside our control that tie our hands when it comes to compensation and sympathy. We HAVE sympathy for YOUR dilemna! We just can't DO anything about it!

We will be open at the original location--264 Washington Street--on WEDNESDAY! Stop on by and see the process as we rebuild! We have a LOT of work to do still.

June 1-6 will be our Grand Re-Opening week! We'll have the mayor down to cut the ribbon; we'll have artists working their crafts; we'll have Door Prizes; we'll have refreshments!

COME VISIT US!

Wendy
The Art Corner
264 Washington Street
Salem, Ma 01970
978-745-0524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

Ready Made Watercolor Frames Redux!

2009-05-09T22:56:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the crazy formatting, but that's the only way I can devise to paste the info here!

Wendy

THE ART CORNER
231 WASHINGTON STREET
SALEM, MA 01970
978-745-9524
ARTCORNERSALEM@VERIZON.NET

Frames for watercolorists

PAPER SIZE FRAME SIZE MAT OPENING MAT WIDTH PRICE

Full Sheet 28x36 21x29 3 ½” $99
18x24 block 24x30 17 ½ x23 ½ 3 ¼” $89
Half Sheet 20x27 14x21 3” $79
14x20 block 19 ½ x 25 ½ 13 ½ x19 ½ 3” $69
12x16 block 17 ½ x 21 ½ 11 ½ x 15 ½ 3” $60
Quarter Sheet 16x20 10x14 3” $50
10x14 block 14x18 9 ½ x13 ½ 2 ¼” $48
9x12 block 13x16 8 ½ x 11 ½ 2 ¼” $42
Eighth Sheet 11 ½ x 15 7x 10 ½ 2 ¼” $39
7x10 block 11x14 6 ½ x 9 ½ 2 ¼” $35
5x7 block 8x10 4 ½ x 6 ½ 1 3/4” $28
Mini #1 7x8 4x5 1 ½” $18
Mini #2 6x7 3x4 1 ½” $16

3/30/9

THE ORIGINAL STORE!! NOT!!!

2009-04-27T22:28:00.004-04:00

Here are a couple of photos of how the NEW--old--ORIGINAL store will look!

It is all refreshed and open and clean and AIRY!

Here is a photo of the new "task lights" over the Design Tables and Work Tables.

PLEASE stop by June first through 6 for a Grand Welcome!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

Hours: M-Sat 9-5.

artcornersalem@verizon.net

SALEM LIT FEST @ ART CORNER!

2009-03-31T21:38:00.007-04:00

Hi!

Saturday night we hosted an event of the Salem Literary Festival--

In conjuction with the Salem Arts Association and the North Shore Writers Group, the Art Corner presented LITBOP! Readings from the NSWG's new book, a collection of short stories themed around GHOSTS and SALEM. AND an OPEN MIC for those who wished to present their work to a "captive" audience.

Here's some images from the event:

The Crowd

Here is Pam Bradbury reading her story from the Ghostwriters book called "The Encampment."

Jeff Bowie, owner of the Pickle Pot on Pickering Wharf, reads a selection from the novel she wrote about her grandmother.A GREAT time was had by all! We hope to do this again next year!

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5

2009-03-31T21:38:00.001-04:00

WATERCOLOR READY-MADE FRAMES

2009-03-08T23:53:00.005-04:00

Don't forget: we have these frames to accomodate watercolorists and other artists. They are sized to the European measurements of French-made watercolor paper. And they are a THIRD of the cost of Custom Framing!

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5

Photos of Progress

2009-02-12T21:27:00.006-05:00

Here are some photos of what is going on in the rebuild. This is the view to the back of the store, to where the handicap entrance will be, that we believe will become the MAIN entrance to the store, since it is from the back parking lot. Notice the bright new ceiling joists! This is the wall in front of the cellar stairs, right where the fire began in the first place! Most of the studs have been replaced, but I notice that not ALL have! Notice the three charred ones in the middle. Are they not done yet? I don't notice any "smokey smell" when I go in there now...

This is the right hand wall when you come in the front door. The large block of particle board is blocking off an existing window. We want that window to be relocated to the back wall next to the handicap entrance, so that we can see customers parking and see if they need help with their framing pieces!

This is the new Front Entrance from the inside. Notice to either side of the door frame are framed out WINDOWS! Our doorway will be BRIGHT and AIRY!

Everything will be painted soft white, "Timothy Seed" from Ace Hardware. INCLUDING the ceiling! INCLUDING the work and design tables. We'll have matching commercial grade floor tiles. All of the accoutrements, accessories, will be Dark Walnut, such as the Crown Moulding and Baseboards.

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Monday to Saturday 9-5

REBUILD TIMELINE

2009-02-11T21:08:00.002-05:00

Got the news today from the contractor: he may be finished with the rebuild by the end of MARCH! Which means we will be moving back in by April and all in by MAY!

WHEEE!!!

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 (264) Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

ICE FESTIVAL 2009

2009-02-09T21:54:00.002-05:00

SALEM SO SWEET 2009

2009-01-24T23:08:00.002-05:00

We've signed up for the Salem So Sweet/Ice Sculpture Festival once again.

This year our Ice Sculpture will be a FIRE HYDRANT! Considering what we went through last year, and am still going through, a fire hydrant or two was a God-send for us, so we'd like to acknowledge that.

Our tagline with the sculpture is "Still Plugging Along at the Art Corner" Get it? "Fire Plug?" Fire Hydrant?

We will have Salem Arts Association members Donna Albino, Kristen Solias and Charles Lang demonstrating their art and techniques on the Saturday of the Festival, February 7. Donna makes objects--bowls and vases and the like--from hand-made paper. Kristen makes beautiful jewelry. Chuck paints in acrylics seascapes and still lifes, as well as "unusual," clever and amusing images.

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9-5
artcornersalem@verizon.net

REBUILD UPDATE

2009-01-10T21:45:00.002-05:00

We've been visited several times by the landlord's architect. Doug has designed a handicap-accessible entry in the back of the store, that we suspect will become the MAIN entrance, once people get used to it. Pull in the rear parking lot; enter the store through the rear door. Easy as pie!

Other changes to the structure may or may not happen, depending on the price tag. WE will pay for what WE want in the new space, and "make do" if the landlord can't afford to pay for what he finds "unnecessary." And I don't blame him. Many of the suggestions are "cosmetic." They'll make the store more visible, but who will that really benefit? US, mainly! Unless it gets so bad out there, that those few investments MAKE or BREAK the business, and then the landlord WON'T HAVE A TENANT!

Hmmm...

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net
Store hours: Monday through Saturday, 9-5.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2008-12-21T22:16:00.002-05:00

If you want a special gift for the holidays before Thursday, PLEASE come in TOMORROW--MONDAY!--to pick out a frame! We can only offer "ready-made" frames from now on into Christmas Day.

In the past, we could give you "custom framing" within an hour for your holiday gifts, but we don't have the SPACE or the STOCK to do that this season, because of the April 24 fire.

Our Temporary Space isn't big enough to store moulding in length.

We promise to do our best to accomodate you!

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA
978-745-9524

UPDATE, UPDATE!!!

2008-12-09T23:05:00.002-05:00

Workmen showed up this morning and started ripping off the vinyl siding to the Old Store! They had the front and back doors open and were working away at the intial "gutting!" WHEE!!

I noticed that the big dumpster out back had the glass from a rear headlight next to it. Major Magleashe's drunk patrons have struck again!

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

INSURANCE UPDATE

2008-11-16T16:10:00.002-05:00

The latest news is: that there IS no news! My adjuster is negotiating with the insurance company adjuster and that's all I know.

I'll be keeping everyone informed as soon as I know anything!

Wendy
The Art corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5
artcornersalem@verizon.net

Open Studios Tour

2008-11-09T15:10:00.004-05:00

We also will have the North Shore Writers Group at the Art Corner for the Open Studios Tour, offering their book "Ghostwriters." 14 "spooky and sublime" short ghost stories, most set in Salem. $10

See you there!

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

Monday-Saturday 9-5

SALEM OPEN STUDIOS TOUR--SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 10-6.

Update to Salem Open Studio Tours

2008-11-08T21:03:00.002-05:00

It appears that Cathy Stacy will be at Old Town Hall after all.

BUT, we may have ISA LESHKO instead! Won't THAT be cool? Just look her up! She's a GREAT, award-winning photographer!

Wendy
The Art Corner

SALEM OPEN STUDIO TOUR

2008-11-07T23:22:00.003-05:00

Hi!

We are, despite our Set-Back of earlier this year, going to participate in Salem's Open Studio Tour. This is the Tour's third year. Hooray!

The Tour is Saturday November 22, 10-6pm.

This year we will have Charles Lang painting his usual and unusual views of Salem and the planet and the dimensions.

We'll also feature these artists in many facets of Art:

North Shore Writers Group
"Ghostwriters"
A collection of short stories of ghosts perhaps from Salem, or not.
http://www.nswg.net/

Cathy Stacy
Photography
www.cathystacyphotography.com

Chris Dowgin
A Walk Through Salem
http://www.mr-zac.com/
Illustrations/Books

Joanna Liss
Jewelry from vintage beads and baubles reconfigured with a dash of Whimsy

Judy Robinson-Cox
Photographs: Lilliputian Landscapes and 3D Models
http://judy.robinson-cox.com/

Hope to see you!

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street

UPDATE

2008-11-01T22:12:00.003-04:00

Hi, all!

Scooter is back to eating most everything we give her, and I've decided she is, indeed, a girl, as I saw some Russians at PetSmart that are the same size, but have longer tails.

The landlord's contractor is "working" on the building, but we've seen nothing yet. Prolly because they have to plan the work, bring things up to code and apply for permits. It'll take time.

Onwards and upwards,
Wendy
artcornersalem@verizon.net

New Updates

2008-10-16T21:14:00.002-04:00

According to our landlords, their contractor is going to start moving on the rebuild soonest! As a result of this news, Chuck and I went into the old building and labelled everything that we want to keep in there, only stuff in the cellar. The first floor needs to be completely gutted! In the cellar, we have the large double miter saw still there, that can be rebuilt for far less than purchasing a new one. The moulding racks all need to go, but the aluminum ladder is salvagable. Etc, etc.

On another note, Scooter is eating less and less than when we first got her/him/it. We're not worried, though, as he/she/it is thinking about hibernating for the long, Russian winter. Last year at this time, Scooter was still a denizen of the steppes of Russia and September is the month to think about hibernating if you want to survive for the long, cold Russian winter. As harsh as New England winters can be, it ain't nothing like Russia! AND Scooter's going to be INDOORS this time and forever more! She won't have to worry about battening down for the season! So she can learn that she doesn't have to follow those instincts, though she will, as that is what "instincts" do. But she's safe.

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01070
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

NAME OUR TORTOISE!

2008-08-28T23:16:00.002-04:00

We had a "contest" to name our tortoise. I made a "ballot box" for the customers to put in their suggestions for a name. We still don't know the sex of the tortoise, so we asked for a "non-gender-specific" name. We gave a month for suggestions.

The winner is: "SCOOTER!"

So "Scooter" scoots about the tank he/she/it lives in and vacuum ups the stuff we leave in there for he/she/it to eat.

And EAT SHE DOES! If she keeps going this way; morning, noon, and night; she'll be so big as to fill her enclosure!

Wendy

OUR TORTOISE!

2008-08-19T21:32:00.002-04:00

Our tortoise had its/his/her "well bay" examination by Dr. Elizabeth Bradt on Monday. Liz is GREAT! She has seen our birds from time to time when they've had "issues." She found our tortoise to be A #1! Good flesh; bright eyes, no nasal discharge, very active, eating GREAT! AND she found NO PARASITES in the fecal sample!

We're STILL looking for a name, however! We have the "ballot box" in place until August 27, exactly a month since we bought the tortoise from PetCo. We will then go through the suggestions to pick the one we like best!

I realize this all seems rather "frivolous" compared to the devastation we've been through recently, but Life Goes On, y'know. You have to LIVE.

We're getting VERY near the end of this recent "set-back" the FIRE. The insurance company is VERY close to closing the claim--so if you haven't contacted me about your lost piece DO SO IMMEDIATELY!

Soon, we will start gutting the old location and re-building. I want it to look similar--but not REALLY--to our current temporary space. We have ideas...

Onwards and upwards, always!
Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, Ma 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

Insurance Adjusters

2008-08-07T22:26:00.002-04:00

I placed a call to my Public Adjuster today. When she called back, she said I must have felt my ears "burning," as she had just gotten off the phone with my insurance company's adjuster. The claim had been filed about three weeks ago and we were just waiting for the call to meet with the adjuster with his Questions.

That should happen this coming week. And then, the check will come through shortly after that and then I can contact all you customers who have lost stuff and have been in CONTACT WITH ME and have produced receipts of your lost work and then YOU and I can "settle up." But that only applies to those who gave me receipts prior to three weeks ago. Those who have contacted me since then will have to wait a little longer and those who HAVEN'T produced receipts will have to wait even longer--and may not have any satisfaction from the insurance company in the end.

I'm trying--and HARD!--To make things work for you, but they need "evidence!" They will not take my word for it that your lost work is worth such and such. They need PROOF! Just like in a court of law. The more paperwork, the better.

In the end, I can advocate and my public adjuster can advocate for you to the best we can, but it's all up to the insurance company and their adjuster and their decision.

If you have issues with those decisions, we can direct you to the persons responsible and you can meet with them and try to persuade them.

Best of luck to us all! (Fingers crossed!)

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

UNDERPINNER HEAVEN!

2008-08-03T22:17:00.007-04:00

Here's how we will deal with our brand-new underpinner! It is the machine that puts the nails into the frame to join it. It uses "V" nails--slices of metal that are pneumatically "pushed" into the bottom corners of a frame. If used with wood glue, a better join could not be built!

But a flat surface for the frame to rest on is also important, and we think we have come up with a way to do that.

As you can see, we've built a mobile "table" to fit the underpinner as exactly as possible. The underpinner as well as the table have been put on wheels. We plan on building two more tables, to accommodate the other three corners of a large frame, when the need surfaces. When we don't need to have "mobile expandable corner-supporting tables" we can push those tables aside and use them for something else.

EVERYTHING IS ON WHEELS! And they LOCK, so we can have stabiltiy!

Check it! 2x4's, 1x3's, foam core board, locking casters: EASY! We could patent it!

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970

OUR NEW STORE MASCOT

2008-08-03T21:53:00.004-04:00

Here is our new MASCOT! I decided we needed a new mascot, over and above the goldfish that the firemen saved the night of the fire.

Here she/he/it is! We have NO idea the creature's sex, as we need to wait until she/he/it is 5 inches long, but she/he/it is only 4 inces!

Chuck and I have had turtles: box and water. We have a Chinese Three-Striped Box Turtle who is 24 years old! But we've NEVER owned a tortoise.

The tortoise is a Russian Tortoise, Testudo horsefieldii, and we don't know "it's" gender yet. Therefore, we need a "non-gender-specific" name. We have a "ballot box" set up at the store and a pile of "ballot Sheets" to write down an appropriate name for our new mascot! Nancy expressed doubts about a tortoise as our mascot because of the implications. Tortoises are "slow." But, to US, They "get the job done!" As in the Aesop's Fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. The Hare is fast, but fails!

He/she/it is a PIG as far as eating is concerned. The tortoise is about 4 inches long, but is expected to reach upwards of 8 to 10 inches in length. Russian Tortoises' diet is VERY specific--NO fruits! And NO PROTEIN! They thrive on common yard WEEDS! Dandilion, plantain, crabgrass. They're better than GOATS to clear the yard! Except they're very small...so it'll take them all summer to NOM, NOM, NOM through all the garden weeds. This one especially likes our garden squash blossoms. "It" eats them first and quickly!

Help us name our mascot! Non-gender-specific, of course! These torts live for about 75 years and this one is prolly 2-5 years old, so be GENTLE! We'll find out "eventually" if "it" is a male or female!

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Syreet

Salem, MA 01970

978-74-9524

UNDERPINNER!

2008-07-27T23:16:00.007-04:00

This arrived at our doorstep on Friday. Here Chuck is tearing into the box! This was revealed:

Justin and I started cutting away the wrapping...

And we have a new UNDERPINNER! This pneumatic machine allows us to put together securely the four corners of your frame! I'm gleeful because once we build a table to accomodate it and get the compressor hooked up to it, I won't have to drive up to Manchester-by-the-Sea anymore! We can do all your framing in so much less time!

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Photos of our Flowers

2008-07-27T23:11:00.004-04:00

Saturday, I was helping a customer out with her purchases when I noticed a couple of visitors to the flowers I had planted out front.

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

Artcornersalem@verizon.net

Random Images

2008-07-22T22:18:00.007-04:00

Here's the back of the Cherokee loaded with moulding to be stored in my Mom's basement for the duration. The Cherokee is a God-send and a Work Horse. I want a Mini Clubman, as it has cargo space, but NOT like the Cherokee! Heap much praise on the Cherokee! Invaluable!

Here is what is left of the cash register. A melted lump of plastic.

Here is a shot of the right front window area, as you face the building from outside. This is the area where we had our art exhibits. Behind the rather Roman looking column/pedestail, you can see the singed fronds of one of our palm trees. The store plants didn't make it, though the goldfish did!

This is a framed print of a very well known science fiction/fantasy artist Dean Morrissey. Dean was the Artist Guest of Honor at this year's Boskone, Boston's Regional science fiction convention. A friend of ours bought this Fine Art print and entrusted it to us to frame. He also bought one of Chuck's giclee prints of "Stonehinge" for us to frame. Both were in the fire. The Wizard print survived, though the frame was charcoal. The Stonehinge print was not so good. We'll replace it.

This is Gary Laparl, president of the Salem Arts Association, myself, Chuck and Sara Ashodian at the Toast Benefit. Largely enjoyed by all! What a great night! It was SO much fun, I can't praise enough!

Here is one of our "lobster dishes" that we use for our receptions. They are antiques. They were on the top shelf in the back room and got nicely scorched. After scrubbing them well using Dawn and Scotch Brites, we have this. Instead of all the elbow grease and time wasted, though, I have resorted to putting them in my dishwasher and MOST of the soot has dissappeared!

These are some random images from the last three months.

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 02970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

New Work Tables

2008-07-07T22:31:00.005-04:00

Heres' how we spent our Fourth of July vacation--building work tables! The place we rented for our temporary location had many perks, including two sheets of 30"x72" particle boards. We used these as our table tops and built a framework of two by fours and one by fours.

We added locking castors. This feature is GREAT! We can move the heavy tables around at our will! Mostly, we will have them joined together by hooks and latches, to serve as a stable 60" by 72" space.

We also added shelves to the bottom of the moveable tables to store customers' pending orders. And we used donated, "icky" moulding for rails to keep the customers' artwork in place!

All is GOOD!

Next, we're in process buiding a 4 foot by 5 foot plywood topped table, also from material left behind in our space. We will also build a shelf underneath it for storage, but this table will be used to house our new dry mount press. Which we should see delivered in the next couple of weeks! It will also have castors under it, though the bigger ones. Also locking, so we can stablize the table when we need to.

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Where will we be in a year?

2008-07-01T22:02:00.002-04:00

Hi!

We looked at a space closer to downtown today. It is entirely UNUSEABLE for us and WAY too expensive! These people who are snapping up all of downtown Salem have delusions of grandeur on an ENORMOUS scale! They are nice as people, but they don't "get it." I understand that we don't need yet another Spanish food market, or pizza shop or nail place downtown, but REALLY!

They should be falling all over themselves to accomodate us, as we are the type of shop that will bring only the BEST to downtown! In our new space we are actually becoming a real "gallery!" we've sold FIVE artworks in the last week and a half! In the old space, it'd be five pieces in five MONTHS! But people didn't come in there for artwork. They were interested in framing only. But the space could be set up to accomodate both, if planned out correctly. AND it'd be cheaper; AND it has PARKING; AND we can eventually BUY IT and make it even BETTER!

We had some ideas in mind but they are proving to be defeated by others' higher ideas. It would be nice to ignore civic trends and manufacture or BUY your own, wouldn't it?

Nuff said,
Wendy
The Once and Future Art Corner

New Work Space

2008-06-29T23:03:00.008-04:00

Top photo is of our ready-made frames waiting for mats, glass and foamcore to be added.

The next photo down is of the salvaged compressor that still works in the upstairs storage space.

Upstairs is also where we are putting salvaged moulding, including donated moulding from a shop in Marblehead that is no longer offering framing!

Next is the "table" we cobbled together that consists of 12 20 gallon-long fish tanks--12"x12"x30"--topped by a DOOR that is topped by foamcore! It'll work until we can build tables out of plywood and 2"x4"s. (The shop space was a pet store before we took over and they left MANY fish tanks! Any one need a fish tank? They have a hole drilled in a side, to accomodate the store filter system, so they don't hold water, but they would work GREAT for hamsters or snakes, or such! Anyone?)

After that is the chopper that was donated by the same Marblehead woman who had closed her shop.

Then is the photo of the TWO wall cutters we use! The C&H we salvaged from the shop, but we couldn't get a good answer from Neilsen about how to set it up, nor do we know how to change the glass wheel or cutting blade! Any one? The other wall cutter is the Fletcher that we bought new from Don Mar, one of our suppliers. The Don Mar rep, Dave Campion, set up BOTH cutters, though he knew nothing about the C&H, so he couldn't tell us much.

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Mondays-Saturdays 9 to 5pm.

Marianne's Take on the "disaster"

2008-06-20T23:43:00.001-04:00

Please check out www.musedujour.blogspot.com for Marianne Plumridge's insightful take on our fire.

Wendy

DIRECTIONS TO NEW STORE!

2008-06-20T23:37:00.002-04:00

Here I am on a ladder at the boarded up old store, painting directions to the new!

Wendy

Our Re-Opening!

2008-06-16T22:04:00.009-04:00

Photo #1: Chuck painting.

#2: Me and Julie Lutts communing.

#3: Marianne and her cutie panda painting.

#4: Bob and the Creature.

#5: The design desk and the "fire" exhibit of photos we took of the Disaster.

#6: The front entrance view of the new space.

#7: Jack Walsh relaxing on the design table, me, Alan Hanscom of my writers group filling up, Bob Eggleton and Marianne Plumridge having lunch on the couch.

The front room is SO like my Living Room! I am SO comfortable there! We all REALLY like this space and hope that we can stay! It's up to the old and NEW landlords if we can!

Keep your fingers crossed for us,

Wendy

I Bought Flowers Today

2008-06-12T22:12:00.002-04:00

We have a brick "patio" out front of the store, and I bought petunias, marigolds and ageratums ( I LOVE ageratums! Maybe because they are PURPLE!) to fill the space between the "patio" and the sidewalk. I will plant them early tomorrow.

We have balloons planned. We have a new vinyl banner which attaches to the railing in front! We have 85% of our corner samples in place. We are starting to build ready-made frames again, AND will start to do Custom Framing again TOMORROW! Can't WAIT!

We are also planning how we can utilize our space at 231 Washington Street on a more PERMANENT basis! We LIKE it here, or maybe next door! The Papa John's space is bigger.

Come by Saturday!

Wendy

GRAND RE-OPENING!

2008-06-11T23:26:00.002-04:00

We have scheduled a GRAND RE-OPENING for this Saturday, June 14. We will have coffee, chocolate, goodies, and stuff.

Local "legend" Charles Lang will be painting all day. Science Fiction legend and nine time Hugo award winner Bob Eggleton will also be painting. Marianne Plumridge, children's book author and illutrator, as well as fantasy artist, will demonstrate her techniques.

We will also be awarding Art Corner GIFT CARDS to randomly chosen customers! One FREE chance per person. Stop by for your chance!

We also will have an exhibit of "highlights" of the fire and many of the articles that were in the papers. The damage was devastating, but also hopeful! Many odd things survived; many treasured things didn't. Things that looked destroyed upon first sight, turned out salvageable; things that looked salvageable, often weren't.

But we're on the bigger and BETTER things now! Do we return to the old building after it's been repaired? Do we stay where we are?

How can we better serve YOU?

We like to "host" people, which is why we like to have art receptions and Grand Re-Opening celebrations. I feel our day-to-day work is also a function of a good "host." How can we make your shopping experience, your "design" experience, better?

The Suggestion Box is always open!

See you Saturday!

Wendy

The ART Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: M-Sat, 9-5

INFORMATION!

2008-06-05T21:42:00.002-04:00

If you have ANY information which might help us find, or catagorize your work in the fire, then PLEASE let us know! The more info we can stitch together; the better to present to the insurance company.

They like tangibles. They like paperwork. They like records.

My Public Adjusters have made the point perfectly to me--we have to "puff up" the claim. NOT to "rip anyone off," as in the insurance company, but in order to get a near-true assessment of our loss.

The insurance company will haggle down; our adjustors will haggle up, and so we'll meet somewhere in the middle.

Be that as it may; I have ZERO resources for customers at this point. I have to wait for the insurance company to provide me.

Wendy

A Note To My Customers!

2008-06-04T22:15:00.002-04:00

PLEASE!

If you are thinking of doing a chargeback through your American Express card for any payments you made to the Art Corner for framing that was in the fire--PLEASE DON'T! Not yet! I have NOT received any advances from my insurance company except for one paltry check, so our funds are VERY LIMITED!

Nor can I refund any deposits made by you through any kind of monetary form, be it cash, check or charge. Our "gas tank" is running on fumes right now, until the insurance company starts paying on our claim. And I don't know how long that will take. It could be weeks, or MONTHS! I have been led to believe (!) that the insurance company is legally obliged to pay within a set amount of time, but I don't know what that time frame is. AND we haven't even finished our inventory, in order to even FILE that claim! We are waiting for YOU! I have started to call you, but some have demanded refunds, which I don't have to give at this point.

I still need to buy supplies; I still need to pay employees. I've had three "chargebacks" on American Express so far and they are depleting my meager funds so much so that I CANNOT pay my employees for this week cum Monday! UNLESS we get a huge influx of customers in the next couple of days with new framing! Hee, hee! Hint, hint!

But we still do not have a glass cutter in place, and the new mat cutter is of a design I'm unfamiliar with, and I don't have all the parts for it yet. We've worked out the limitations on our frame chopper, so that is up and running, but we don't have any stock of moulding yet, except for what we've salvaged from the fire, and we don't know how that'll react over time. I don't want to use something that we've salvaged from the basement and then have its finish bubble or a smoke-smell suddenly emerge from it in a few months! PLUS I need to drive up to Manchester once a week or so and presume upon the good graces of the owner of Nor-east Frameworks there to use his dry mount press and frame joiner. And gas is approaching $4 a gallon.

Am I pleading? YES! I need some time. I started calling customers yesterday concerning their work involved in the fire. But I've since stopped because I can't refund any more deposits or Paid in Fulls. We haven't the resources.

On a happier note, we have MANY pieces that one would never know had been in such a disaster. I've already turned over to their owners several pieces that had no damage and no smoke smell--at least, that was acceptable to the owners!

On a sad note, we've been unable to locate a handful of people's work. A couple of them, I have NO knowledge of. Which means they probably were dropped off on my one day off a week, Tuesday.

Let me explain Our System. It is the one used for 27 years by my former boss, the fellow from whom I bought the store 3 years ago. We use a three-part order slip system. The white copy goes on the Order Board in the back room. The yellow copy is attached to the cardboard folder the artwork is placed in, or attached to the artwork if it is too large or too thick to be put in a folder, such as a painting on canvas. The folders are put under the counter in the back room, unless they're too big or too thick, or otherwise of a configuration that won't go under a counter. The pink copy is given to the customer as a receipt. If WE have done our job correctly, then ALL the info involving the transaction, from moulding number, size of piece, condition of piece, payment status, should be copied on all the slips.

But since the order board with all the white slips burned up, we have only the yellow slips attached to cardboard folders to help us identify pieces. If the yellow slips are missing, then we have to GUESS, or else WAIT for the customer to contact US!

One the other, other hand, my husband, who has been a tower of strength and IDEAS--as always!--for me in this ordeal, has been going to the burned out store and digging and searching for customers' work and supplies and equipment to salvage. To the point now that he wants to literally bring a SHOVEL with him, so he can dig down through the layers of fallen ceiling insulation to the mauve or orange carpet, depending on if he's in the front or back rooms. I mean, we've ALL been doing this over the last six weeks--my employees too! But Chuck is the avatar. He just wants to go in and dig through every pile of debris and every nook and cranny! He is indefatigable! He's been awesome throughout this ordeal. He's the one who said to me the night of the fire, after we had gotten home after one in the am, and had poured ourselves a couple of stiff drinks: "So, now that you've written down who you need to call in the morning, HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR NEW STORE TO LOOK?" Slap me upside the head!

This is a terrible, terrible situation for us, but also for YOU! YOU have lost family treasures, as have we. We have come close to, and still might loose our livelihood if things turn for the worst. But I refuse to look at that Black Beast. We will not be dragged down by this.

We will "endeavor to persevere." As Chief Dan George stated in the Clint Eastwood movie, "The Outlaw Josey Wales."

The "Endeavoring to Persevere," unfortunately, takes TIME. PLEASE give me it!

Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

Second Day

2008-06-03T22:50:00.002-04:00

Today I bought a "balloon kit," to inflate balloons to tie to the railing out front and gather more interest. I also will order a vinyl banner to be tied to the railing, as we are not allowed to attach anything to the brick store front in any way that might damage it.

We will get/make a sandwich board: one for the immediate front and one to put out on the curb adjacent to Washington Street proper, even though such sandwich boards are illegal. But EVERYONE has one!

We need to make it clear to people where we are. The space is wonderful, but without Dancing Girls in the parking lot, or fireworks over the building every night, or a Dog and Pony act out front every day, how can we draw the customers in?

This is not new to me; my husband and I have been fighting this good fight for almost twenty years to get people to come into our Halloween Art Show during Haunted happenings. We always had a shoe-string budget, so we had to think WAY outside the box! I'm thinking we have to think along those same lines this time, too, as we have NO budget. The insurance company will cover "interruption of business," but there is a cap. AND they're being very SLOW in advances. If I don't have the sheckles to pay for advertising, I have to rely on my instincts to reach YOU!

Hope you stop by, if even to say Hello!
Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

OPENING DAY!

2008-06-02T22:57:00.004-04:00

We Officially/UNofficially opened today!

It was a "soft" opening. We put out the "open" flag and lit up the neon "open" sign, and changed the "coming soon" signs to say "now open!"

We had visitors. Salesmen and friends. Our adjustors and a few customers who had had work in the fire. We documented our first "official" customer, who had work in the fire and we confirmed her order and will go ahead with it, as her piece only suffered a minor blotch of water damage.

We LOVE the new space! It's too small for our full, proper operation, but we could take over the space next door and we'd be at full capacity and more. But things are in flux. We have verbally agreed to return to the old space, but we need to re-iterate what the landlords there want to do, and what their insurance company wants to do! A BIG "if!" AND we don't know what the new landlords at our new space have in mind, or how much they want for rent after our 12 month "temporary space" lease is up.

"Such is Life Without a Shirt."

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5pm

RE-OPENING JUNE 2!!

2008-05-29T22:17:00.003-04:00

Is there one of those obnoxious Emoticons showing the rolling of eyes? I'm sure there is. Yesterday, as I drove past the old building, I saw that the door was open and the landlord's Cause and Origins guy was there, whom I'd met and worked with over a MONTH ago! I thought it was a Done Deal, as to the cause of the fire, as did my Public Adjuster. But now MY insurance company has sent in their OWN guy, who is working with the landlord's C&O guy! How over-the-top and put-too-fine-a-point-on-it is THAT? It's been FIVE WEEKS!

I GET it--the insurance companies have a bunch of lawyers working to do EXACTLY that, as lawyers are wont to do.

Anyway. We are working hard to be open Monday, but we won't have a working credit card processing machine until later that day or maybe the next, or maybe later in the week. I don't truly know. We have SOME frame corner samples that were delivered today, with more coming tomorrow and many more due--hopefully!--Monday! We are still waiting for our mat cutter, which won't fall until Tuesday, and then we have to wait until Wednesday for help to set that up and the glass cutter. Today, we picked up a frame chopper, which was DONATED! Thank you, Connie! Glad to help you out and get it out of your basement!

So I guess that means our "soft" opening won't happen until later that week...

We have the go-ahead for our planned signs. I just have to drop off the signed permit tomorrow with the $20 check to the city Planning Department. Elaine went to the Design Review Board meeting last night, as I was tied up with Jim McAllister's "Roast." She reported twenty minutes later that the Planning Department and the Design Review Board had not approved our signage and one other as quickly EVER BEFORE! Some kind of record...

I understand, as I 'm a sort of person who likes to leave as little as possible disturbed where ever I go. Though I have purple hair, I try to "fit in" where possible. I'm not a Radical, just an eyebrow raiser. I saw what the other tenants had for signage, thought of our fugitiveness in that space, and said--this is enough! Nothing fancy.

Look for more improvements as the weeks progress.

Wendy

The Art Corner

231 Washington St

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

RE-OPENING JUNE 2! Open M-Sat, 9-5, except June 7, open until 3. GO, Big Brown!

MEMORIAL DAY

2008-05-26T23:09:00.002-04:00

I guess we took the holiday a little too seriously and spent the day removing what--we hope!--was the LAST of the customers' work from the burned out store. I can remember a couple of customers' pieces that we have been unable to locate. And some of the stuff we dug up today, we knew what they were, but they were so badly damaged, that they weren't worth salvaging. Really. I KNOW that there may be the customer or two who may decide that that old map, which had fallen into shreds, may be puzzled together, but is it worth it? Really? Including all the mildew?

THIS is what this is all about--the "worth" of paper, material goods. I UNDERSTAND that family heirlooms were lost. I really do. Unfortunately, one of my "hobbies" is to go antiquing. I love the hunt for some treasured object I can posess which might complete my collection of this thing or another.

I get sad, however, when I see things like pocket watches, which I know were given to retirees in the Old Days as a treasured memento. But none of that person's family cared enough to see that that "pension" was passed down. And so you see it on the Flea Market field. I hope that when I am old enough that the days ahead of me are far shorter than the days behind, I can sell my collections to benefit ME, rather than the vulturine "Antiques Dealers" waiting for my last breath.

I, too, profit from those sad families. I buy Antique Frames and clean them up and re-sell them. I love them! Customers love them! Unfortunately, many of those antique frames come with photos or prints or artwork in them. I tried to save most of those that I had collected over the last year or so, but the water damage took the majority of them. I am gradually re-building that, as well as the store.

Memorial Day is appropriate for today, as we remember those who have gone before us! Including antique-hunting SCORES!

Wendy

Almost there!

2008-05-23T21:26:00.005-04:00

We are building to be ready to re-open June 2 at the temporary location of 231 Washington Street. To that end we have painted the walls a nice, soft white, which is very neutral, so the wall color will not interfer with the artwork presented to us by YOU to be framed.

We are frustrated at every turn. We go in for an anticipated full 8 hours of work and then end up spinning our wheels after a few hours. Because we are waiting for supplies to come in! Or we are waiting to try to create a space in which to bring in the work that survived the fire and have a decent place to show it to the customers and to be able to assess it. We can't rush into things here. We need to be able to spread out the work and treat it, with the customer standing over our shoulders! Gladly!

We all need to realize--ME especially!--that this was no one's FAULT! This was my number ONE Worst Case Scenario since I bought the store 3 years ago. A FIRE.

Here it is. We're willing. Let's work together. (I need to stop beating myself up over this and feeling guilty.)

In that vein, here are a few images of the "in development" front room, or "Showroom!"

Wendy

Interior Temporary Space "Before"

2008-05-19T21:30:00.005-04:00

Here's what the new, temporary space looks like right now. Remember that it was to be a pet store, so the bilious green is apropos! We're painting it, starting tomorrow, a nice soft white called Timothy Seed. The dark walnut wall panels are beautiful, though, and will serve us well. Our frame corner sample panels will be a matching color mat board called Seamist. Framed with a dark walnut and antique two-row gilded and beaded moulding that'll blend right in.

We intend on having a section for our Custom Framing directly facing you as you come in the door--the wall that has the fancy lights will be our corner sample wall. Under that will be the very popular watercolor frame kits. To the right, facing the street, will be the main Gallery Wall, with the Oil Painting ready-made frames under that. To the right of that will be our Antiques Gallery, with the Antique Frames on display, as well as more of the Art Gallery. We'll have a Design Area, a Sitting Area, an Antique, and a Transaction Area. All will be truncated from what we had at the original store, but, we think, more efficient.

In addition, we will take whatever frame stock and materials that we salvaged from the fire and offer these materials to you at a STERLING price! (We have to make up whatever the insurance company decides they won't cover, as you KNOW they'll try to give us as little as possible! PLUS, my MOM was a "Depression Baby" and so, I am a "waste not, want not" person. I can't BEAR to throw out what I consider perfectly good moulding and supplies, even if they have a slight smoky smell! I guess it's also a bit "green" of me, as these trees were cut down/killed for the lumber to make the frames and then they'd be thrown in the trash? Can't do that! Sort of a "they must live on!" philosophy on my part.)

It's really NOT about the money; the insurance company is required to pay me for the loss. It's the principle of the thing. If they are reading this and say, "well, we won't cover that!" because of my comments here, so be it! I look at the lengths of moulding in the cellar and I see stuff that is perfectly useable. Framing material that I hand-picked from the samples salesmen showed me. Frames like the sweet deal I got at a trade show from a particular company in which the frame was being discontinued and I bought a whole bunch of it at a great price. Two days after it was delivered, Elaine sold one order in it that paid for the entire shipment! It sounds mercenary of me, but that's how things work in Retail! From then on, we called that frame Elaine's Moulding! Besides the fact that it is BEAUTIFUL! AND underappreciated!

I had origianally thought to make ready-made frames from the salvaged moulding, but realized that artists would be selling their work to the public in this possible-problematic moulding--(I personally don't think so, but one cannot take a chance in this litigious world!) So I think we'll make up a "special" corner display board of moulding styles that "survived the fire" and offer them at 50% off the retail. We'll of course cull the moulding as it comes out of the burned store's basement and throw out the really smelly stuff. You see, flames never touched the basement and smoke and heat travel UP! Yes, yes, Gravity works and so, over the last three and a half weeks since the fire, soot and ash and smoke-smell have been settling into the basement, so we are gradually taking out what we can, now that the insurance company has given the "go ahead."

The next couples of weeks are going to be intense. We intend to open on June 2nd, a Monday. We intend to move all the customers' in-house work to the new location sooner and call them all to deal with their situations on a one-on-one basis. We need to re-frame works that existing customers wish to save, or deliver the water damaged works to the appropriate restorers. Unfortunately, we CAN'T refund any monies paid yet, until we get more advance money from the insurance company. We ARE fully insured for the damaged and lost works of customers; I just don't know how much documentation the insurance company will want. I fear that they'll want to give only the amount of the materials involved for the creation of the works and not what they would sell for! I and my husband and friends had several works which were destroyed that fit under that blanket, so we're anguishing too.

Yesterday, to that end, we plucked a sampling of mouldings from different sections of the cellar moulding rack--Top Row, Left, Middle, and Right--Middle Row, Left, Middle and Right--Bottom Row, Left, Middle and Right. Plus under the Joining Table, which suffered a lot of water damage--same scenario.

So far, only ONE moulding sample exhibits a slight smokey smell. The rest are fine, though one does exhibit a mildewy smell, also a factor. We'll cull and cull and cull, until we have a base of salvaged materials that we feel confident will not cause YOU any "smelly" problems down the road!

231 Washington Street

2008-05-15T21:52:00.003-04:00

This is our NEW address! Until the old store is repaired...

231 Washington Street used to be Biscotti Cuchina and was, for a very brief time, Creature Crossing, a pet store that used to be on Loring Ave. I'll take photos tomorrow of the new space and post them as soon as I can.

Today, Elaine and I swept 1100 square feet and mopped TWICE about half that, first with bleach, then with Pinesol. Justin helped. We could probably hit it again with the cleaning process and pick up as much dirt. It's amazing how dirty it was! It was such a mess when we got the key. I should have taken "before" photos, but I was too engrossed in how we would tackle our latest obstacle and how to set up the new space.

The former occupants, the pet store people, left dozens of fish tanks and piles and bags of pine shavings and guinea pig food and dog food. Filters and cages and rock displays, oh my! I was worried, because I am an animal person and worked in MANY pet stores before I got into framing, that in every tank set-up or cage I saw there today, I would find a dead, abandoned animal. I saw hampster and guinea pig set-ups; snake and lizard tanks, etc. Nothing. Good. Justin knows one of the owmers of that fiasco and he said that fellow would never abandon an animal.

Then I saw it. IT. A hermit crab tank. At first, I was excited, because we have five hermit crabs as pets at the house, and I saw all the empty shells and knew that we could use them for our crabs. Then I looked more closely. I saw three dead crabs who had abandoned their shells probably desperately looking for water. When I picked through the shells, I found another one who hadn't left his shell. All four looked healthy and happy before they were left behind. Hermit crabs are very delicate creatures and need certain amounts of humdity and temperature in their environments and most pet stores don't provide those criteria, because they are uninformed.

Sad.

As it is, we will have a beautiful front showroom and a larger workroom in the rear. The showroom will have plenty of space to display frame corner samples, though not nearly as many as we had at the old space, just to keep things more managable for now, AND plenty of space to continue to display artwork! I hope that artists aren't hesitant about our little Speed Bump. We have insurance coverage still, AND the new place has sprinklers! (Well, maybe that isn't that reassuring as pertains to watercolors! Hee, hee!)

Next week, once we have the new shop clean, we will bring in work tables that we have in our home cellar and start to order the equipment we'll need. The spare wall cutter at the old store is still usable--Justin drenched it in WD40 yesterday!--so we won't have to buy a new one--yet! We'll see how it performs. It is NOT the best brand, (we've always used the BEST!) but it is serviceable.

Once we have a rudimentary shop set-up BEFORE we're ready to open to the public, we'll call the customers who's work was in the fire and analyse with them the options for their work and their framing.

A message to those customers--please bare with us! We have your work and it's safe, though possibly damaged. We have to tread carefully from here, to make sure nothing interfers with the insurance company and how they choose to handle this situation. Very few pieces were burned up. Most suffered water damage and many didn't suffer anything, except being encased in a frame package that DID suffer water damage.

We're all lucky in that respect. My worst fear, since I'd bought the store three years ago, was that we'd have to face this kind of scenario.

Here we are.

Could have been FAR worse! We could have still been in the store and someone lost their life. It could have spread to the adjoining buildings. A fireman could have been trapped by debris.

As it was, two fish died.

We look forward. We lost things, as well as our customers lost things. Things can be replaced. Paintings can be recreated or remembered. Prints can be made, if files exist.

Ultimately, we must remember that life goes on, and should be taken one step at a time.

Thank you,
Wendy
The Art Corner
231 Washington Street
Salem,MA 01970
978-745-9524
artcornersalem@verizon.net

Restoring Work

2008-05-08T22:11:00.005-04:00

We have some materials to try to help save soaked artwork. Mainly fresh kraft paper and cardboard to help soak up water and smoke odor.

We have Lysol and Fabreze to kill mildew and odor. I looked online and saw that ammonia-based cleaners take out smoke oder effectively.

We're not professionals at this, but we will strive to cause LESS harm than what has already occured! We have a pool of conservators and consultants to turn to. And we'll take your work to them to restore, if you so wish.

As we assess what can be restored, we'll contact you and discuss what you wish done.

Wendy

Artwork Triage

2008-05-08T22:11:00.002-04:00

We had a plan today to go in and rescue customers' work, primarily under the main work counters where we store the finished orders, and under the dry mount press counter where we store most of the pending orders.

The finished orders seem mostly water damaged, but we'll know better when we take the artwork out of the framing packages to better assess them. We have a clean, dry area and the tools--newly purchased!--to do this. We'll photograph everything each step of the way and contact each customer as we go along. And discuss what needs to be done from there. This is all new to ME and, I think, the insurance company, although in PRINT, I have coverage for it! They may try to wiggle, but we'll stop that!

We can refund deposits and such, and place a claim if a piece is lost completely. Unfortunately, the insurance company will need some kind of PROOF, so get those sales receipts ready! Not just the receipt you got from us, but from when you bought the artwork!

We had an up and down day today pulling out stuff and discovering what survived (maybe!) and not. Pieces that I was sure were fine, because I thought I saw the backs of them, turned out to be nothing but wallboard. Other peices that I thought were toast turned out to be only water damaged.

Some of the glassware survived. Being not so porous, the glassware needs only a good cleaning with ammonia and Fabreze. Many of the procelain horses survived.

Equipment in the back room has been damaged almost beyond repair. But I found unpaid BILLS intact and checks and checkbook pages still usable, as well as a reorder form!

The WEIRDEST thing I found today was what looked like a EGG on the back counter. I picked it up and wondered what it was. I couldn't imagine of how it got there, or what piece of artwork or equipment might have left this *melted* perfectly ovoid thing; then I thought that it was a pigeon egg! I've seen many of those, as I own a formerly homeless homing pigeon as a pet and she used to lay eggs all the time before she got too old. The egg I found today "candled" as a true egg--I shone the flashlight through it! It was hard-boiled! It was pretty hard, too, so I struck it with a chisel just to be sure and the shell cracked like a proper egg should. I guess pigeons have been nesting in the eaves?

Maybe I'll retrieve that as well to include in a collage of the fire--the ignition wire, the egg. What else will we find?

It's like a sooty, smokey puzzle.

Wendy

Customers' Work

2008-05-06T23:02:00.002-04:00

We have the go-ahead to go in, starting Thursday, to "rescue" customers' work! We are excited!

This is the scenario: we can go and take out all the customers' work that we can find and bring it to a safe, DRY location, where we will set-up shifts for removing work from soggy wrapping and frames and then try to dry the work as efficiently as possible, while photographing each step for each work , no matter it's intrinsic value.

Then we will store the work, while contacting YOU, the works' owners and then the insurance company to find out what to do next.

We'll triage the work. Those pieces that aren't damaged, we'll offer to complete the framing with new materials. It'll just take a few weeks more. Those that have damage, we'll work with the customer to find if they want the piece restored, if possible, which our insurance will cover, or if it's a total loss, our insurance is supposed to cover that as well. In the end, it's up to THEM, and to YOU!

We're moving forward in this long process...

Wendy--call 978-745-9524, Mon to Sat 9-5 to speak to me directly about your work at the store.

Temporary Location

2008-05-04T21:59:00.002-04:00

We have a verbal agreement on a temporary location in the same neighborhood as the original store. I won't say where yet, until we get the signed lease in our hands, which should be some time end of this week, beginning of next.

In the temporary location, our selection will be much smaller, but we will have our suppliers catalogs on hand for extra selection. We can order samples from them, if you are really intrigued by a frame in a catalog. It'll just take longer.

We'll have the same staff, but personnel will be divided between the two locations. While the construction crew is repairing the first floor, we hope to be rebuilding a new and more efficient moulding rack in the cellar, since the cellar won't be much involved in the construction work, except for the electrical(!)

My one main concern is that the landlord's insurance isn't enough to cover the cost of the damage repair. He may decide to total the building.

In that case, we have our temporary space (fingers crossed!) and have time to find a NEW, permanent place! Prolly on Canal Street. That area is slated by the city for renewal, is easy to get to, and has many spaces available.

As it is, we will continue to honor our recently released coupons of 30 and 35% off custom franing. We will also gradually build up a new stock of our famous watercolor and oil painting frame kits. It appears, from the photos taken by my husband, and his visual assessment, that the antique frames in the cellar fared well. We will continue to build up that stock as well, though at a slower pace than the last year, as our resources will be limited until we can be back in full swing again.

Ever onward and upward!
Wendy
artcornersalem@verizon.net
978-745-9524

Reclaim Time Frame

2008-05-01T22:48:00.002-04:00

Hi!

I talked further to my insurance adjuster and my public adjuster today and it seems we will not be allowed to assess customers' work for at least a couple more weeks, because the landlord's adjuster has to go in and measure and his construction crew has to measure and estimate, before WE can go in and reclaim the stuff that belongs to us and to YOU!

It's rotten, but it's the same attitude the firemen had the night of the fire: save lives first; stuff second! Which is why they JUMPED to the task of saving the goldfish!

The building owner has first priority in these matters, I've been told. The tenant comes second. I can understand this attitude, because, without a building, you got NOTHING!

The store phone # is up and running, so you can call me directly at 978-745-9524, 9-5pm seven days a week. PLEASE call if you have an order at the store! I need to catalog everyone's work and contacts, so we can get back to you as soon as we know what to do! We're winging it here! We've never been through such a scenario, and hope to NEVER again!

But it appears that it's going to take time. I'm a VERY patient person, but this is wearing on even me!

Ah, well--just another Speed Bump on the Road of Life--I guess.

Wendy

West Charlton Frame Company

2008-04-29T19:31:00.002-04:00

For those of you who need framing fairly quickly, you can go to http://westcharltonframe.com This is the new business of the former owner of the Art Corner. He makes oil and watercolor frame kits, with free shipping!

Please consider him.

Thanks,
Wendy

Salem Arts Association

2008-04-29T10:03:00.002-04:00

The great, wonderful, amazing people of the Salem Arts Association are planning a benefit for the Art Corner in June. They are the most wonderful bunch of people I have ever met and are going the extra yards for us! Go to www.salemartsassociation.org

The City has offered help; the Chamber of Commerce has offered help; frame shops from around the area have offered help.

I am overcome by everyone's generousity and kindness.

THANK YOU!
Wendy--(who apparently was on a bit of a rant last night, judging by my prior post! Hee, hee!)

NEW TEMPORARY SITE

2008-04-28T23:05:00.002-04:00

We have a nibble on a new location for a short term lease, like 6 months, in order to rebuild the store's reputation and customer base, which has been cut as much adrift as we, personally, have.

The kind of store that we have is MUCH more customer-active than many stores. Rarely can you walk into the Art Corner and just "buy something." You have to leave your personal property for us to care for and then, hopefully, enhance. We know this and cherish it.

We so desperately want to go in and rescue customers' work; to save it. But we can't.

We are trapped with having to wait for the adjusters and investigators to go in and extrapolate "where" the fire began, when WE can clearly see it from the photos that Chuck took yesterday. I go in tomorrow with my two adjusters and I will take MORE photos of the area in question. We haven't received the official report from the fire department yet, but we know they'll corroborate our theory.

The fire's origin is the lynch pin to the insurance companies and how they'll handle this situation. They'll fight over who's "responsible" and the sad fact is, no matter HOW they spin this, THEY are the ones responsible, because WE--the Art Corner and the Landlord--PAY the insurance companies to be "responsible." One or the other will "win out" in the end, and who does that profit?

The landlord and the Art Corner will still need a building and store to continue business.

Sad.

Not for US, but for the insurance companies to go through all that "in-fighting." Any one reading this ever been through bullying in school? Same thing. We are prepared.

(And I hope that the insurance adjusters look at this post and THINK about what they do!)

Wendy--still plugging. NEVER stopping!

UPDATE TO CELLAR CONDITION

2008-04-28T22:56:00.002-04:00

I've been told by someone who has had experience in this sort of thing that I should not expect too much as far as the moulding stored in the cellar. While it may seem that it LOOKS okay, water damage is insidious. Leafed moulding is first coated with gesso or plaster, and exposure to water can cause the gesso to expand. It may take time, like MONTHS, but the damage WILL happen. So trashing all of our current stock is a good idea, in other words.

I hate to do it, as I'm a "waste not; want not" sort of person, but it may be best in the end.

Time will tell.

Wendy

Inside--first photos

2008-04-27T22:52:00.004-04:00

The downstairs moulding rack. Pretty normal except for water stains. Don't know what's happened in the back, so it may be bad, but it looks good from the front!

The first floor: bad!

Bizarre how these things go. We are finding weird things as we very gradually look around, for just a few minutes today.

First, it was the fact that the fish survived--EXCEPT FOR THE LITTLEST GOLDFISH! He succumbed the next morning. The others are doing fine--SO FAR!

We've already found some things that I would have thought were very fragile survived in our quick foray into the front. A few hand-blown glass perfume bottles, an antique, China trade bowl, a porcelain horse or two. A few antique frames.

The pattern of the fire was one of a flash fire, very quick and scorching, rather than a good burn. The state trooper inspecter asked many questions about flammable materials, solvents, and thinners. We found most spray cans intact.

The basement looks pretty much normal. Water has pooled in various places and some of the equipment has already rusted, but the moulding may be partially salvaged. The adjuster said about how bad smoke damage can be, but we feel that the smoke never went downstairs. It, like heat, goes UP.

We'll see. This will be a LONG process!

Wendy

978-745-9524--phone # activating mid-week.

PHOTOS OF FIRE

2008-04-26T15:05:00.004-04:00

Here's two images that were in the Salem News today. You can read the articles in the Salem News at www.salemnews.com, one on Friday, April 25 and one on Saturday, April 26.

Thank you!

Wendy

FIRE AT THE ART CORNER

2008-04-26T11:32:00.002-04:00

Hi, everyone.

I'm going to dash off a quick message here and then update it as often as I can while we go through this coming ordeal.

The store suffered a major fire Thursday night around 9pm. The first floor was burned, though we haven't been inside yet to see how badly.

The cellar seems okay, except for any water damage that may have occurred.

Two of the three goldfish survived! The littlest one, I found, succumbed this morning. The little white catfish is fine, too. They are in a tank in my kitchen at home.

Next week, we will have the phone number back up and running, so I can be contacted directly--978-745-9524.

Right now, our plans are to rebuild and continue serving our friends, the customers and artists who have been so loyal to us over the thirty years that the store has been in existence, and the twenty years I have been there.

Once all the insurance adjusters have done their thing, we'll be able to assess the customers' orders and start contacting people.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND HAVE WORK AT THE STORE, PLEASE CALL 978-745-9524, SOMETIME STARTING MID-WEEK. (The phone won't be activated for a few days.) This is in case order slips have been destroyed, because I would have no other way to reach you!

Thanks for all the kind words and offers of help from customers, friends and family...we really appreciate it!

Wendy

MAY EXHIBIT

2008-04-23T21:54:00.002-04:00

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM: WILD OR DOMESTIC is the theme for May!

Bring up to two pieces, no larger than 20"x24" FRAMED and/or ready to hang to the Art Corner for inclusion in the May show.

No entry fees, but we take 25% commission from all sales.

Drop off is RIGHT NOW! I wish to hang to show the first weekend of May. The artist's reception will be May 9, 6-9pm.

The show is open to EVERYONE!

Animals include everything NOT a vegetable or a mineral--so it's dogs and kitties, horses and llamas, birds, penguins, snails, frogs, worms, ameobas, etc.

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5

Thurs 'til 7

Sundays 1-4

Brand Spankin' New!

2008-04-08T22:10:00.003-04:00

Howdy!

The month of April brings the fresh, new work of the Salem Arts Association on display at the Art Corner. We had a great reception, with over fifty people in attendence.

Come see it!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

ANTIQUE FRAMES

2008-03-09T22:55:00.002-04:00

For the month of March, the Art Corner will feature an exhibit of antique frames, some with artwork in them by local artists John Hutchinson, Jim Chisholm, Racket Shreve, and Charles Lang.

I am researching antique frames and will post descriptions and explanations of each frame exhibited. It'll take me all month, but that's the way it is. Also, the frames are FOR SALE! I'll post prices on them, too.

I find these frames at antique stores, flea markets, estate sales, and customers bring in frames they don't want any more.

I DON'T do restoration! I "Play around" with "filling in" missing pieces, but more likely I'll just cut the frame down, cutting past the "offending" missing piece! I'll paint the frame in places, too, to match the missing or flawed pieces. Sometimes, if a frame has a fillet or liner that is damaged, I'll replace that, so it's not always "original." But it makes the frame LOOK better, and that's the point, methinks!

Thanks and stop on by--
Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9-5

Thursdays to 7pm.

Closed Sundays for MARCH only!

Otherwise open 1-4pm.

The New Year

2008-01-15T00:10:00.000-05:00

We had a successful and relatively painless Christmas season this past year. January is proving to be the "usual" and is slow. But that's okay, as we have much to offer for the coming winter and spring months!

Right now is an exhibit with roots in Salem from Victorian times!

Lewis Jesse Bridgman is the artist and he can be looked up on the Net. He was a prominent illustrator in the late 1800's and early 1900's. He died in 1931. He lived in Salem, near Forest River Park and Pioneer Village until his death. His control of pen and ink is astonishing! his watercolor works are equally so!

Stop by to see.

My thanks go to this exhibit to John V. Goff, messiah of Salem Pioneer Village restoration, and Judy Lazdowski, of Antiques at Museum Place Mall.

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Mon-Sat, 9-5

Thurs until 7

Sun 1-4

NOVEMBER EXHIBIT

2007-11-05T22:56:00.000-05:00

The Art Corner PROUDLY presents the works of painter PETE ROGERS. He hails from Nahant, MA, but his reach extends much farther! He was once the President of the American Society of Marine Artists, and has had many exhibits at important museums in the interim. Including Salem's own Peabody Essex Museum!

No limits inhibit Pete's range. He paints still lifes, maritime, industrial, landscapes, figural, etc. Just about EVERY "genre" of painting subject.

His exhibit runs to the end of the month.

A "Meet and Greet" reception will take place on Friday, November 16, at the Art Corner, 6-9pm.

SEE YOU THERE!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5, Thurs until 7pm. Suns 1-4pm.

ART THAT GOES BUMP IN THE NIGHT Reception

2007-10-16T22:12:00.000-04:00

We had a BANG UP reception Friday night, the twelfth! We had over SIXTY people stop by! Sales were good; all the food disappeared early; we had to go out for more water and wine.

I'll post photos when I get them. The re-chargable batteries in my expensive (!) camera died just before and so I was unable to take photos of the event. My sister-in-law, however, had her camera and seemd to be shoving it in our faces all night long, so I'll get what I can from her for this post!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5pm

Thurs 'til 7

Sun 1-4pm.

MORE Halloween Art Shows!

2007-10-02T23:30:00.000-04:00

Hi!

My husband and I have a few MORE Art Shows to contribute to this Halloween Season: The Fool's Mansion's "Terror Fantasies," and Bewitched in Salem's display walls.

More will follow, or develop, as the month progresses, because it is, indeed, OCTOBER IN SALEM!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5

Thurs 'til 7pm

Suns 1-4

HALLOWEEN IN SALEM---GAHHH!!!

2007-09-29T22:34:00.000-04:00

Halloween is fast upon us! And we are working hard and furious to get our Halloween/Haunted Happenings/"Art That Goes Bump in the Night" exhibit ready for you! I will hopefully post things here as they happen; as they go up!

This year my husband, Charles Lang, and I will ALSO have work at the Kensington/Stobart Gallery at the Hawthorne Hotel and at the Washington Square Studio across from it at the Salem Commons.

The Meet the Artists Reception at the Art Corner is scheduled for October 12, Friday, 6-9pm. And we will have a DUAL reception at Kensington/Stobart and Washington Square on October 18, Thursday, 5-7pm.

Hope everyone can come to ALL THREE!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: M-Sat 9-5

Thurs 'til 7

Sun 1-4

Cool Shadowbox!

2007-09-14T23:33:00.000-04:00

Hey!

I did a really cool shadowbox last week! The clients had been to the Caribbean and had snorkeled. They found broken pieces of coral that spelled out their young daughter's name: Lucy. They wanted the coral pieces framed and the pieces "sunk into" the batch of sand they had brought back in a plastic baggy.

I thought about the task at hand for a moment or two, then said, yes! I can do this! I quoted them a price, which, of course, was FAR too cheap, but that's what happens in this business!

Upon thinking further about this project as it loomed above me, I came up with a cool solution! Since the acrylic modelling paste I bought for it dried OPAQUE, I couldn't mix it with the sand as I had originally thought. So I layed out the modelling paste into a semblance of wave-washed sand and layed the coral pieces slightly embedded into it. It took ALL WEEKEND for it to dry! It was about half an inch thick. It cracked, so I painted decoupage medium into the cracks. Once that was dry, I mixed the beach sand with the decoupage medium and painted it all around the coral pieces and the wave-rippled beach I had created. Then I placed little, teenie shells I had all around the coral pieces, to make it look even more like the sun-washed beaches of the Caribbean!

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

Hours: Mon to Sat, 9-5, Thurs, until 7, Suns, 1-4

artcornersalem@verizon.net

ANNIVERSARY REPAINT

2007-09-14T23:22:00.000-04:00

It's been EXACTLY two years since we painted the gallery display wall a yummy aqua color. We've spackled all the nail holes and sanded and painted it a warm salmon color for the duration.

It matches one of the colors in the area rugs throughout the store. AND it brightens the whole area! I love it!

I shall take photos of the current exhibit, that of Robin Samiljan, and post those images here, to show how well the new color co-ordinates with her work. Robin's work will be on display until the end of September. Come see it!

Then comes Halloween.

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5, Thurs 'til 7, Sun, 1-4

PEM Cornell Exhibit

2007-08-17T23:25:00.000-04:00

Today I slipped into the Joseph Cornell exhibit at the Peabody-Essex Museum.

Frankly, I like what we have at the "Ode to Cornell" exhibit at Old Town Hall BETTER!

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA. 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

I NEED A FLOGGING!!

2007-08-16T23:26:00.000-04:00

Wow! Is THAT suggestive! No, no, I just an reacting to the fact that I haven't posted here since MAY! I AM BAD!

What is in the works? What has been happening?

September brings a solo show in the gallery: Robin Samiljan from Swampscott will exhibit her wonderful, Zen-like watercolors. The repection for her show will be Friday the 14th, 6-9pm.

In the meantime, we will be spackling and repainting the gallery walls in a shade of salmon that co-ordinates with the color in the area rugs. PLUS we'll be getting gallery display moulding and chains and hooks, instead of making the sheetrock walls even MORE full of holes than it is right now!

I'm not sold completely on gallery chains, as opposed to gallery rods, but the expense right now is sensible. We'll deal with it, and make the best of it.

HOWEVER, the majority of my "spare" time lately has been taken up with the fledgling Salem Arts Association! We have had a BANG-UP inaugural show at Salem's Old Town Hall! We called the exhibit an "Ode to Cornell: What Would Joseph Do?" We had over 200 entries for the exhibit from artists all over the WORLD--including an entrant from New Zealand! Lynda Hartigan, curator of the Joseph Cornell exhibit at the PEM curated OUR show! She selected 76 pieces from the over 200 offered. (Including TWO of mine!) She was THRILLED that we did this exhibit and was a little emotional when asked to speak before the crowd of about 300 guests! SAA president Gary LaParl was literally choked up when it came his time to speak, and GOOD FOR HIM! He worked to the edge of exhaustion!

In the end, about EIGHT of us SAA members saw this exhibit very quickly to fruition and that's PATHETIC! With over 70 members, we should have nearly EVERY ONE helping out! We all work; we all have families; yadda, yadda! Heard it; seen it; been there; AM there!

I rant on because I am in the middle, but I experience the REWARDS! They are multiple! Good PR; good vibes; good friends; good creativity; good stimulus; good EXPOSURE! If you want to shout out to the world your particular passion, but are shy to do that, WE can back you up! Just ask!

Enough ranting for tonight.

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9-5. Thurs 'til 7, Sundays, 1-4.

SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL AWARDS

2007-05-03T23:05:00.000-04:00

Hi, all!

Well, THIS has been an eventful week! The Salem Chamber of Commerce gives out an annual award for the Best retailing and business in Salem. Wednesday night, May 2nd, was the EIGHTY-FIFTH awards dinner! The Chamber presents six categories for consideration: Businessman, and Businesswoman of the Year, New Business of the Year, Long Term Achievement (Which the Art Corner was nominated for last year!) Community Service, and Excellence in Retail Awards.

I was nominated in the Business Woman of the Year category. I believe my competition was tough: Linda Cappucio of Strega Restaurant and Lounge, who won an Historic Makeover Award last year for her renovation of the Strega Building; Jennie Cudmore, Crunchy Granola Baby, for her new store featuring all natural and organic products for baby; Kathy Gauthier, owner of A Tough of the Past, who has been a Mover and Shaker in Salem for MANY years; Wendi Goldsmith, who owns the Bioengineering Group, which I know NOTHING about, but which employs at least a 1oo employees and is a multi-million dollar company in town; myself; and Diane Saia of Quint Essentials, a women's accessory shop in Pickering Wharf, which I also know little about. (Oh, well...)

Shocking as it was to me--I WON!

I just sit here in my chair and tap away at the keyboard night after night, drinking my Harvey's Bristol Cream and my husband Chuck and I brainstorm about the store most nights, then I go to work and do stuff to promote the store, or to do stuff I want to do, and half the time I feel like I'm not really focused, or I'm not accomplishing anything, but I guess I'm WRONG!

Others have noticed.

I'm not done yet. I've "Only Just Begun!" (The sad part is I think that was my high school class's Exit Song! Oy! I say Oy! and I'm not even Jewish!)

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat: 9-5

Thurs to 7

Sun: 1-4pm

NEW STORE HOURS!

2007-04-24T22:45:00.000-04:00

Starting May 1st, the Art Corner will have NEW HOURS! We'll be open Monday through Saturday, 9 to 5pm, Thursdays until 7pm, Sundays, 1 to 4pm.

Stop by!

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

M-Sat, 9-5, Thurs to 7, Sun 1-4

Salem Arts Moving Forward!

2007-04-24T22:38:00.000-04:00

Here's the latest on the newly developing Salem Arts Association: we're meeting with ArtSalem to merge with them; we're applying for a space at Artist's Row for the season; Salem State College's Glassworks Studio is planning to share that space with us, or vice versa!

We need to plan how we will co-operate with ArtSaelm; we need to plan how we will co-operate with Salem State; we need to plan MARKETING; we need to plan exhibits, workshops, performances, classes. etc, to make the best of our investment in Artist's Row for the season.

What does this have to do with the Art Corner, you ask? EVERYTHING! The Arts must be hale and healthy in Salem for the Arts, and the Art Corner, to grow!

We need everyone's help for this endeavour!

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA, 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Salem Arts Association

2007-03-26T23:39:00.000-04:00

Hi!

I have been working with a dedicated group of artists and others in Salem who wish to see a Salem Arts Association florish in town. I have posted about our online discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salemarts/

We have established a web address for the new Salem Arts Association at www.salemartsassociation.org, though nothing is up there yet, as far as I know.

However, we will be hosting a Public Meeting April 13 at the Beverly Co-operative Bank on the corner of Lafayette and Derby Streets in their Community Room at 6:30pm for a general discussion about How and Why a Salem Arts Association should exist.

I think we have a good agenda all ready for gutting and filleting! I'll post that agenda here, and the press release for all of you to see and digest! *Burp!*

Wendy

The Art Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA, 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours:Mon-Sat 9-5:30

More Art for Sale

2007-03-15T22:55:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple more of Chuck's paintings for sale at the store: Red Onion, and Blue Mouse Cat Toy.

Red Onion is 5"x7" and is $60 unframed. Blue Mouse Cat Toy is 4"x6" and $40 unframed.

Chuck is a master at Acrylics. Each painting better's the last. He's painting small right now, to hone his skills--THEN he'll create some larger, more detailed pieces! You'd better watch out, then!

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

Hours: 9-5:30- Mon-Sat.

artcornersalem@verizon.net

SALEM HIGH SCHOOL EXHIBIT!!!

2007-03-15T22:31:00.000-04:00

The Art Corner is PROUD to announce that we will be featuring the Salem High School Arts Department Exhibit for April! Check out the NEW talent about to be unleashed in Salem from these talented kids!

Above is a sample of the photography part.

FOUR teachers are involved, so we should have a wide spectrum of works for your enjoyment!

Here are the details: the exhibit will run from April 1 to 30. "Meet the Artists'" Reception will be April 1, 2-4pm. Come meet the kids!!!

I have contacted the Salem News, Salem Gazette and Boston Globe, as well as the Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Picklepot Newsletter.

Let's get as many people by the Art Corner to support the KIDS!!!

I've called this exhibit "Art of Salem: The Next Generation" because that's what it is! These kids are GREAT!

Hope to see you there...

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5:30

artcornersalem@verizon.net

ART FOR SALE

2007-03-07T23:42:00.000-05:00

This is a new feature I'd like to visit regularly. We are an ART STORE. We'd like to offer Art For Sale on a regular basis! If you like what you see, contact me with the info included here to purchase it. YES, we ship! We use FEDEX.

These are two acrylic paintings by Charles Lang: Tomato Slices and Mushrooms. They are 6"x8" and 5"x7" respectively and are $75 and $60 each. Add $3 shipping.

Happy ART!
Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival

2007-02-26T16:32:00.000-05:00

I'm REALLY late with this one, as the Festival was on February 10th. Flog me!

We had an Ice Sculpture installed in front of the store and many people came to see it, clutching their little pink Ice Scuplture maps.

Here are the guys setting it up.

Because of the cold weather, the sculpture lasted until February 23ish.

Enjoy!

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

artcornersalem@verizon.net

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5:30