What’s your business name and what do you do?
I started Sidle House in our almost 100-year-old barn in Freeport last summer. The original spark of this idea came while visiting art markets, galleries, and Georgia O'Keeffe's Abiquiu home near Santa Fe back in the early 2000's. I hosted my first contemporary art exhibition here in July/August. The second exhibition was a selection of small new works by 22 artists in December/January. The current show, ‘Glimmer’ features 4 artists and will be on view through March 17. I'm in the process of planning exhibitions through 2026 now.
How did you learn your craft?
I didn’t! But I’ve always been a creative person. I studied violin performance in undergrad (then business in grad school), and have always enjoyed art and artists in all mediums.
As long as I’ve inhabited rooms, starting with my childhood bedroom - I’ve been *kinda* curating; moving furniture, selecting posters and pictures, making collages, displaying knick knacks and found objects. Beautifying and personalizing the spaces we inhabit is fundamental to well-being, I believe. I really enjoy creating my own spaces, so I bring this awareness into my current endeavor. I am very much learning on the job now! Hannah Berta (the phenomenal Rockport artist) helped me install the current exhibition and I learned a lot from her in the process. Other gallerists have been generous in sharing their tips and experiences as well.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
1. Studio visits, getting to know artists, and learning about their creative process. It was the idea of working with artists that first sparked my interest in becoming a gallerist/representative those many years ago. I am having a lot of fun with this!
2. The creative process of putting a show together; from the initial exhibition concept, to getting an intuitive nudge about artists I hope to include, to finally selecting pieces and curating the exhibition itself. I become genuinely giddy when I find the right spot on the right section of wall - seeing pieces interact with each other and experiencing an exhibition come to life.
What do you enjoy least?
Worrying about what success looks like as a business owner. I am actively attempting to unlearn 50+ years of capitalist/consumerist indoctrination just from growing up in American society and reinforced through years of work experience. Although there’s a lot of that learning which has served me well and which I also hope to utilize to promote and support the creative people I serve - unplugging from the idea that sales is the only measure of inherent value is tricky! I’m attempting to balance this with bringing a more appreciative market to contemporary art. We must support artists. Our collective humanity depends upon people who dare to create art, insight, empathy - and share it with others. So, while I don’t always enjoy the inherent tension between art and commerce, I feel it’s an important awareness. Ultimately I think it's my job to take this on so that (hopefully) the artists I work with have more freedom to create.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about your work?
Art is for everybody. I want the exhibitions and my space to feel widely exciting, inclusive and welcoming. When I was younger, I used to believe I shouldn’t go into a gallery without particular knowledge about art, or enough financial resources to purchase some. It’s taken me time and wisdom to realize that if I enjoy experiencing art, I’m allowed in the space! I don’t have to be able to articulate why I like something, and I don’t necessarily have to acquire it for myself. I can stand there and be moved by art. I can enjoy the simple act of appreciation. Anyone can.
What’s one artist you look up to?
It’s impossible to answer this question! As a new gallerist my world is currently exploding with awareness of contemporary visual artists. I find myself moved by the people who honor their own creative practice. In a world that is constantly speeding up with a bazillion cries for our attention - it takes commitment and focus to make one’s art. I look up to anyone who is doing that, and seek to honor my own internal muse in similar ways.
What do you do when you’re not at the gallery?
I love to visit other galleries, museums and artist studios. I also enjoy concerts and theatre. Traveling (including around Maine) is something I enjoy and hope to do a lot more of. My daughter is a student in New York and I enjoy our urban adventures together there. Living on an old farm and visiting the city regularly strikes a perfect balance for me.
Night owl or early bird?
I can be either, but will choose night owl because I really do enjoy a good lie-in in the mornings, especially now that my nest is empty.
What's your favorite place in Maine?
It’s pretty great to have returned to Maine after having lived in other parts of the U.S. for 18 years. We chose Freeport (in part) for easier access to the midcoast region. But we enjoy “playing tourist” all over the state. Probably Deer Isle is my current favorite - but I have a hankering to hike the Cutler Bold Coast trail and have a feeling it’ll deliver the quiet, unkempt beauty I love about Maine.