Tell me a little bit about 2nd Story Gallery & Studios.
The gallery features photography on acrylic, canvas wraps, glass, birch block, bamboo, notecards and mini blocks by Pamela Ayres and 16 local artists and interns.
Ned Flemming has a studio at the gallery and displays his signature oils of dinghies, along with Dickie Anderson (acrylics), Ron Chabot (acrylic prints and notecards), Ana Companion (oils), Figment Jewelry, Lois Grunder (acrylics), Craig Impink (acrylics), Andrea Mateer (oils and acrylics), Jane Reese (acrylics), Alan Robertson (mixed media), Frances Rodgers (glass), Patti Saunderson (jewelry) and Beth Smith (decoupage shells).
Student interns Storm Rowland (acrylics), Mac Bloodworth (photography), Kara Montooth (photography) and Lane Press (photography) also have work on display at the gallery.
The gallery is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. We participate in Fernandina Beach’s monthly Second Saturday Artrageous Art Walk.
Our customers are welcome to shop at the gallery, video shop, shop online at www.2ndstorygallerystudios.com, or shop by private appointment by calling 904-277-6676.
Tell me about your background and how you decided to open your business.
I moved to Amelia Island eight-and-a-half years ago to escape the rat race and cold of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region.
A nature lover with a degree in environmental science and an M.B.A., my passion for photography and art came from my grandfather, who was an artist and avid photographer. I got a lot of my inspiration from him.
I always considered myself a hobby photographer until one day while working as a volunteer at the Plantation Artists’ Guild and Gallery, I received some flattering comments about my photos and realized that I had an instinctive aptitude for photography.
In addition to wanting a downtown outlet to display my photography and my love of the natural beauty of the Northeast Florida area, I also wanted to highlight the many local artists and student artists. There is an awful lot of local talent here on Amelia Island and the myriad of genres of art that are represented is awesome. I wanted to showcase that at 2nd Story Gallery & Studios.
Tell me about your photography.
I love Amelia Island and the beauty of its flora and fauna. I try to showcase that beauty through my photography. My favorite subjects are birds, the ocean, waves, sea turtles, beaches, marshes, sunrises, sunsets and the beach. I try to present my photography on a variety of mediums to enhance the subject of the photography.
You have a lot of enthusiasm for giving back to the community.
Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach are beautiful areas filled with wonderful people. I try to give back to the community by sharing local art and area subjects with residents and visitors, as well as introducing and fostering new local talent and area student interns.
What do you like best about living on the First Coast?
I love the beauty of the area, the community, the beach, the marsh and the sunny weather, warm temperatures and the island breeze.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend my free time traveling, golfing, kayaking, biking, swimming, walking the local beaches, participating in the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, ushering at St. Michael Catholic Church, reading and spending time with my two daughters and my Maltese sidekick, Lucky, who accompanies me on my many photo walks!
