Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Ferrara.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Judy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI, worked in Chicago and moved to South Bend, Indiana where I raised my kids. In 2001, I started a fundraiser at my children’s school. We turned the school into an art gallery for the weekend and sold area artists’ work. In 2003, I opened Blue Gallery in Three Oaks, MI and changed the name to Judy Ferrara Gallery in 2013 when I bought the gallery building.
Today I represent artists across the country and overseas, from well known to emerging artists. The gallery sells art on artsy.net and 1stdibs.com as well. The gallery is located in a two-block destination town of culture from live theater, high-end antiques, and clothing to a distillery. People are surprised to see the quality of art in this small town.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Art is my passion. Any business takes time to develop but I believe art galleries take more time. It took me a good ten years of hustling and hard work to be in the position I am today. People tell me that I am a good salesperson which always stunned me because I do not think of myself that way.
However, the caliber of artists and art I represent sell themselves. Renting gallery space was stressful in the beginning so purchasing the building in 2013 alleviated that stress.
Please tell us about JUDY FERRARA GALLERY.
Judy Ferrara Gallery, founded in 2003, specializes in creating unique aesthetic environments through art with a personal touch. Judy features an eclectic and ever-expanding library of emerging and established contemporary art by local, national, and international artists.
Judy Ferrara Gallery has a resource base rich in talent; essential to creating timeless and unique art collections. Judy offers complimentary consultation services to her clients including onsite visits, and digital mockups with suggestions from the gallery’s large inventory. She also works in collaboration with the trade on both private and commercial projects. The showroom is 1600 sq ft with a 500 sq ft outdoor sculpture garden and is available for private parties. There is also an apartment above the sculpture garden available for weekend rentals.
Centrally located in the picturesque town of Three Oaks, Michigan the gallery services clients worldwide. Judy Ferrara Gallery is within easy driving range of Chicago, South Bend, IN, Grand Rapids, MI, Detroit, MI, Indianapolis, and Kalamazoo, MI.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t think I would do anything differently. It is a learning process and I needed every step of that process to be where I am today. I am fairly certain that if I had researched how to open an art gallery, I would never have opened one. As a gallery owner, communication with customers as well as the artists is essential and can be challenging at times. Most importantly, it takes passion to own a gallery.
Contact Info:
- Address: 16 S. Elm St. Three Oaks, MI 49128
- Website: judyferrara.gallery
- Phone: 269-756-9338
- Email: judyferrara@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judyferraragallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyferraragallery/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyferraraJudy
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferrarabluegallery/
Image Credit:
Robert Winslow, Frances Cox, Joyce Polance
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