Babes in the Woods gallery a fresh take on art
Kelly McLain
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: A & E
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Babes in the Woods is home to an assortment of organic printed shirts, framed photography and handcrafted jewelry. The gallery is small, but its vintage interior and warm orange walls are inviting. A wooden vanity table and surrounding shelves are decorated with colorful pendants and small glass vases, as ambient lighting highlights black-and-white prints.
Fragrant candles wafted throughout the room as First Friday guests and other artists slowly began wandering in, their murmuring about the pieces observed quickly filling the empty space.
Locals may recognize co-owners Shelbi Lynne Laughlin-Kenney and Samantha Geuss, who sold their work individually before opening Babes in the Woods. Both the women were optimistic about sharing their new endeavor.
The gallery's name is a metaphor, empowering and addressing the multi-faceted nature of Alaska women, Geuss said.
Although the gallery will feature mostly local female artists, they will accept art from male artists. Geuss added that their gallery will help to showcase people with little exposure.
Laughlin-Kenney's own exposure to the community comes mainly from her jewelry business, Pullin' Dandelions. She said that setting up the equipment at annual craft fairs and holiday shows becomes tiring.
"Every time we do a show, we schlep around stuff. So we thought, let's try to open a spot of our own," Laughlin-Kenney said.
Recently, new galleries and clothing boutiques have been taking up residence in the Ship Creek Center. The mall has put forth continual efforts since last year to expand business and give the long-standing building a face-lift.
"Ship Creek is in a state of rejuvenation, with new shops that fling up," Geuss said. "It's a cool time to be here."
Laughlin-Kenney became serious about beadwork three years ago. As a lamp worker, Laughlin-Kenney is able to craft her own style of glass beads. Her jewelry is finely crafted with Druk glass beads, natural gemstones and freshwater pearls. Earrings cost about $12-18, while necklaces range from $30-100. Laughlin-Kenney's signature pieces are wire earrings made of small fishing lures, which stems from her being a fisherwoman from Palmer.
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