Meet Lenore Hemingway and Suzen Brackell of Village of Oak Creek/Sedona

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lenore Hemingway and Suzen Brackell.

Hi Lenore and Suzen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In October 2008, Suzen Brackell started a small cooperative artists effort in an existing business location. She grew this initiative into a full blown cooperative artist gallery in a few years and it has become a local staple in the community. In 2016, she and another artist, Lenore Hemingway purchased the business model from the artists and agreed to continue it as a cooperative style gallery. It is the only gallery in Sedona that features local artists ONLY and the artists take turns working the gallery. So, you always have the opportunity to meet one or more of the artists when visiting. The gallery has also continued the long-standing First Friday Art event with featuring one artist and staying open late that one night. The gallery hosts over 40 artists with a large variety of mediums.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
During the early days with 40 artists giving inputs and voting on decisions, it was a challenge. Not all artists also have honed their business skills. Lengthy meetings and discussions were tiresome for many. There needed to be a manager and assistant to take care of some tasks. This eventually is where the artists agreed allowing private ownership was the best business model. These two positions would take on all the business tasks and appropriately, get paid for it. It has worked out better than expected and the gallery has thrived.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Lenore is a glass and mosaic artist. Starting from no experience, she took a class and then developed her own style of artwork that has flourished with time. She continues to take classes annually which fosters a new love for trying the unusual and seeing her pieces fly out the door.

Suzen has been making her boutique style clothing for her entire adult life. She has a unique style that is her signature with easy wearing and sexy/comfortable clothing. She has also added numerous items that are functional such as water bottle holders, microwave cozies and jewelry.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has always been on our positive side. We were able to find a new landlord when the building came up for sale. This new landlord has been a significant improvement for our business and building. We were blessed. If we had been forced to move, the business may not have survived at a less visible location.

Pricing:

• All items are very affordable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sedonalocalartists.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villagegalleryoflocalartists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sedonalocalartists