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  • The Gallery on Pearl is celebrating its fifth anniversary in business this year. Pictured from back left are shop owners Curt Peters, Mary Ann Guenther and John Guenther, and front row from left, shop owner Pam Peters and shop manager Cathy Dusel. Staff photo by Daniel Suddeath

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June 13, 2012

Five and counting: New Albany’s Gallery on Pearl celebrating anniversary

By DANIEL SUDDEATH daniel.suddeath@newsandtribune.com

NEW ALBANY — While several success stories have developed in recent years, downtown New Albany wasn’t always viewed as prime commercial real estate.

Four business partners — John and Mary Ann Guenther and Curt and Pam Peters — took what some might have called a risk when they opened The Gallery on Pearl inside the White House Centre.

“We were the only people in this building,” John Guenther said.

But now, not only do they have neighbors inside the retail and office building at 222 Pearl St., but they also have reason to celebrate.

On Friday, June 15, in celebration of its fifth year in business, The Gallery On Pearl will open a special exhibit titled “New Expressions.” The exhibit features fresh works by John and Mary Ann Guenther, both of whom have quite a bit of experience in the field of art.

John Guenther has exhibited artwork around the country as well as internationally, and is an Indiana University Southeast Professor Emeritus of Fine Art. Mary Ann Guenther specializes in kiln-formed glass jewelry, and has molded fabric artworks including needlework for the exhibit.

It’s noteworthy to recognize the five years the gallery has been open and to remember the reasons why the partners set out to open the business in downtown New Albany, Mary Ann Guenther said.

“What we wanted to do was be part of the revitalization of New Albany,” she said. “Things were just starting to happen with downtown, and there was renewal of energy.”

Curt Peters said they went into the business venture with “our eyes open.” The goal was to bring a hub for fine arts featuring local and regional pieces, he continued. More than retail, he said The Gallery on Pearl was also designed to be a home for exhibits that really didn’t have a place to be featured in Southern Indiana.

“And we were pleasantly surprised with how well received we were,” John Guenther said.

Five years later, he said the owners are still encouraged when they hear of new customers and artists that have just learned of The Gallery on Pearl’s existence.

John Guenther has served as the artistic director and has recruited more than 60 artists to The Gallery on Pearl. The White House Centre has also grown since it opened, with businesses such as Sew Fitting and Mariposa also now on the first floor of the building.

“Downtown New Albany has developed, and so we have at least been a part of that,” Pam Peters said. “I believe we played a positive role.”

The “New Expressions” exhibit will run through July 27, and Friday’s kick-off event is slated for 6:30 to 8 p.m. It will feature beverages, hors d’oeurves and an artist talk at 7 p.m.

The first 35 guests for the opening reception will receive a special handmade anniversary gift, with the limit of one gift per family. For more information, call 812-542-0780.

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