Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. Although Paula Farrell is not an artist herself she has decades of experience in bringing together the needs of a community for the benefit of all involved. After months of updating her property on East Second Street in Nederland and complying with the required permits, she is ready to welcome artists into her gallery, The Art House.
The white walls are pristine, the repurposed shelves and tables glisten with new paint and the pieces of art already collected are displayed attractively, waiting to be joined by other works from other local artists.
Farrell moved to Colorado when she was a teenager and dropped out of high school when she was 17. “I had a tough family life and decided I would figure out how to take care of myself. She ended up joining the Air Force and was stationed in Arizona.
After the service, she went to college where she studied social work and criminal justice with the goal of becoming a social worker. She then earned a Ph.D with a focus on leadership and Organizational Development.
Two and a half years ago, the couple moved to Nederland, and Farrell began preparing to create A Social Venture, a business designed for social purposes. She had been studying the concept for 15 years, learning how to start a business that would fund its own program to train people to start businesses, teach them job skills and how to make money.
She explains that The Art House is a unique retail business designed to support the work of nonprofit organizations through the sale of local and Guatemalan artisan products, a retail shop with high quality gifts and art.
“We are designed to operate as a social venture in that proceeds from the sale of artisan products will be donated to nonprofit organizations along the Front Range that support self-reliance, life-long learning and entrepreneurship.” These organizations include TEENS Inc., Friendship Bridge, The New America School and the Mountain Area Land Trust.
All local artwork is accepted for sale on a consignment basis, selected by submitting samples of their work. They will be chosen by the quality of the work and the value of the items, as determined by the artist. The sales price will be determined by agreement between owner and artisan.
Farrell supports Colorado artists in order to improve the local economy as well as to share the talent and workmanship. The materials are superior to mass produced products; items are irreplaceable and individual. The artists use their creativity and skill to create custom, personal, one-of-a-kind pieces.
The Guatemalan products are enabled by the nonprofit, Frienship Bridge, that provides micro loans and educational programs for women entrepreneurs in Guatemala, which assists 30,000 women. Proceeds improve working conditions, living conditions, education opportunities, and access to medical care, as well as help preserve the traditional art and cultures.
After decades in the city, working with the government, Farrell wanted to move to a more rural environment. She did research on the area and the people and talked to enough residents to learn that the idea appealed to the locals. She said a large network of people in the area knew artists and she began connecting with them, walking into shops, going to fairs and events, and asking them if they’d be interested in bringing their work to the gallery.
She now has an inventory of Guatemalan art and clothing, paintings from local artists, old oil drums transformed into spectacular garden flowers, jewelry made from guitar strings, recycled wood that is laser cut. Farrell seeks pottery, clothing made from recycled products, and more jewelry.
“This is a new chapter in my life, living in Nederland. This environment makes me feel very grateful that I get an opportunity to fulfill this venture. After overseeing large government programs which was stressful, I am now able to figure out how to enjoy life and to help others.”
The Art House opened on June 25th and is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
