Gallery opens Christmas in Miniature

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on December 10, 2009

The crowd was excited, sales were brisk and the Chadds Ford
Gallery maintained one tradition while forging ahead with plans for others.

And so it was as the annual Christmas in Miniature art
exhibit got up and running full stream ahead at the little gallery on Route 1
in the heart of Chadds Ford Village. This is the 28^th year for the
event that features miniature art by nationally known and award-winning
artists.

Barbara Moore, gallery director, said this year’s show has
brought back a lot of energy from the early days.

“It’s like in the beginning,” she said this week. “There was
an excitement like there was the first couple of Christmas in Miniatures when
the people weren’t used to this type of exhibit or sale.”

She said this year’s excitement may have come from the fact
that there were many new people coming to the gallery, but added, “The artwork
itself is pretty exciting.”

Moore was pleased with the Dec. 2 opening night turnout as
well as the continued interest in the show that runs through the end of the
year.

She said she was glad to see the interest because it’s been
a tough year for art and galleries all over.

“[Opening night] was definitely our Black Friday,” she said
referring to the day after Thanksgiving that is the traditional break-even sales
date for retailers across the country.

Moore has always said the show is a good way for people to
start collecting art since the prices range–on average–from $65 to $500.

Following last year’s tradition, the gallery broke new
ground and started another tradition with a show on African-American art in
February. That trend setting continues for 2010 with an exhibit of Hispanic art
in January, African-American art for Black History Month in February and an
exhibit of Asian art in March.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.