Article by Kevin Grogan, Dash-Sports
Hope Barton opened her fine arts studio and gallery in downtown Clermont after 6 months of renovation on a house built in 1915 located at 647 Lake Avenue, Clermont.
She reminisces that growing up in Coral Gables in the ’50s was a good time. “I could walk to town and browse the boutiques and special fabric shops and peek in the galleries. There were culture and excellence in everything. Viewing a show of Van Gogh originals at the Lowe Museum is really what turned me on to being an artist”.
I went back to college when my kids got in school and earned a degree in Art Education with a minor in Business Education. (wish I had paid more attention to marketing) I kept going – got a BA in Commercial Art from Lake Sumter, took more classes at UCF and Fl and some printmaking workshops. There was nothing here for me in the 70’s so I started doing the juried fine art festivals. Mostly, I did the Florida ones because of my family but later did some big ones up north. I had a gallery in Clermont from 1997 to 2002, closed that and started working with other galleries.
After living in St. Augustine for 12 years, we moved back to Clermont and bought a smaller house. Mostly, I lost studio space. I wanted to stop traveling and have a place to work and show here. I also enjoy helping other artists who are struggling to make a living and need a place to show and sell.
I would hope that people could find out that I have a comfortable, non-intimidating gallery with interesting and affordable work. Everything is of high quality. There is a variety of pottery, wood, jewelry, etchings and paintings. Prices vary and everyone is welcome to browse. Quite often, I spent time chatting with artists about technique, composition and other artist’s work.
We have workshops and “Paint Ins” where an artist can come for help or advice and paint with me.
On my days off, I am so busy with appointments and household stuff. I love dogs and hope to get another one soon so we can walk together. My husband and I share the food chores but we look forward to some fine dining in the future. Most free afternoons and evenings are spent painting. I am a big movie buff. That is my muse when I paint.
I have had a fortunate life due to the hard work of my parents and my husband. Our daughter has been a great asset for the gallery and helped all the years I was doing the shows. Without their support, I could not have pursued a career in art. I think people should pay their luck forward and share their abilities and money.
