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Left: Objects, Art and More Gallery Manager Amanda Houser and Gallery Associate Mauricio Guerra are full of fresh ideas, inspired and excited for how Objects is evolving.
Right: “Butoh” is a sculpture created by Florida artist Steve Olszewski. Photos by Corey Miller.
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“Conquistador” is a driftwood horse sculpture created by Maryland artist Larry Ringgold. Photo by Corey Miller.
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“Ocean Azure” is a cast glass and porcelain vase created by Texas artist Debra Steidel. Photo by Corey Miller.
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Spiritiles created by Georgia artist Houston Llew. Photo by Corey Miller.
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Wooden wall sculptures created by New Jersey artist Philip Roberts, (top to bottom, left to right) “Olivia,” “Stradivar,” “Octave,” “Zephr” and “Collusion.” Photo by Corey Miller.
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Raku vessels created by California artist Ruth Ehrenkrantz. Photo by Corey Miller.
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Colorful dog sculptures created by California artist Mike Valles. Photo by Corey Miller.
Every time customers come into Objects, Art and More, Amanda Houser wants them to discover something different.
Since becoming Gallery Manager of the art gallery in downtown Irvington this past summer, Houser has been busy overhauling inventory, planning in-store events with artists and leaning on the interior design expertise of Objects’ newest Gallery Associate, Mauricio Guerra.
“This should be a place where locals want to go regularly, in addition to out-of-town visitors,” Houser says. “I always want to have fun things going on and partner with a very diverse group of artists. As a seaside village, we will maintain some of our historic nautical- themed options, but we’re never going to be too predictable.”
Located inside a transformed 1940s-era gas station, Objects offers paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, blown glass, wood carvings, furniture and metal sculpture from more than 200 artists around the world.
The gallery also hosts a visiting artist monthly, which Houser hopes to expand to two artists a month, at least during the busier spring, summer and early fall seasons. She’s exploring the idea of adding a few art classes, too.
One new artist is Ruth Ehrenkrantz of California, a future visiting artist who makes raku pottery. With origins in medieval Japanese ceramics, the craft involves heating clay objects quickly in a kiln and placing them in material that will catch fire, such as sawdust, paper and leaves, before cooling. That process causes unique colors and lines.
“No one piece is the same,” Houser relates, “but they’re all stunning.”
Houser’s vision of connecting with a wider variety of artists is a good match for Objects’ evolving customer base, notes April Ellis, Operations Manager for Objects and two other stores owned by parent company OMNI Design Group, Inc.
In recent months, Ellis has noticed a younger crowd of shoppers—some of them transplants to the area—who are looking for more contemporary and modern pieces for home décor and gifts.
“Amanda has a fresh, valuable perspective, and she really researches and gets to know the artists we’re considering,” Ellis relates. “She understands that if customers know an artist’s story, pieces will become even more special and meaningful.”
A New Jersey native, Houser, 36, grew up with a crafty mother who shared hobbies such as crocheting, sewing and card-making. An animal lover, Houser went into another creative business after graduating from high school: dog grooming.
Houser started out as a bather and progressed to become lead groomer and manager of a pet salon for 16 years. She also spent a year working at a Walt Disney Company retail store in New Jersey.
When Houser and her husband, mother and four dogs relocated to the Middle Peninsula in spring 2023, she knew she didn’t want a repetitive desk job.
“I needed something creative and unique,” she says. “It’s been so fun to meet not only our customers but our artists, who are such kind, talented people. It’s very rewarding to support them and share their work to make others happy.”
With her strong retail and customer service background, Houser soon began training to replace the retiring Terri Thaxton, who had served as Gallery Manager for 10 years. She officially took over once Thaxton left in July.
A few months later, Guerra entered the scene. He had moved from Alexandria to a home on the Piankatank River in Hartfield, drawn to the area by the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay (and the taste of its seafood).
Guerra, 62, earned an interior design degree from Bauder College in Florida and built a successful 30-plus-year career in Washington, D.C., and Fort Lauderdale. He has overseen decoration and renovation projects in settings as varied as multimillion-dollar homes, offices, condominiums, yachts and company showrooms.
Friendly and outgoing, Guerra enjoys helping customers pick out artwork that inspires them, as they think about how to display it.
“Whether it’s an original or a reproduction piece, it doesn’t matter, if it’s beautiful in someone’s eyes and brings joy,” he notes. “This gallery has a great vibe: it has a high-end feel in a very small-town way, meaning it’s unpretentious and welcoming to all.”
Guerra describes himself as “thrilled” to be living in his new community—as is his yellow Lab, a frequent swimmer. “I think she might be half mermaid,” he says with a laugh.
This spring, Houser and Ellis will travel to art shows together to scope out works in many mediums and genres. “I feel inspired to make Objects even more of a destination,” Houser says. So does Ellis: “I’m proud of how we’re evolving, and I hope people will come check us out.”
Objects, Art and More I 804-435-8024 I objectsartandmore.com
