For nearly 35 years, Robert Paul Galleries has been at the heart of Stowe’s thriving community of artists and art lovers alike. So when the original owners retired in May of 2023, young entrepreneurs and longtime residents Jack H. Morris and Alexandra B. Weathers embraced the opportunity to purchase the business, building upon a legacy of connecting artists from around the world to Vermont’s largest town.
At only 22 and 23 years old, Jack and Alex set out to operate this creative establishment with three specific goals in mind: to bring people together through art; to have a strong presence in Vermont’s developing art scene; and to create an experiential gallery featuring both emerging and seasoned artists.
“I was inspired to purchase our own business so that I could be independent,” shared Jack. “I strive to achieve the most that I can when it involves the things that I love – like art and photography. Owning our own gallery enables us to implement our own innovative ideas while being social and engaging with the community.”
As a professional photographer (Jack) and an art history enthusiast (Alex), they were confident in their knowledge of the creative side of the business but wanted to learn more from the financial perspective.
That’s when they decided to connect with the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) and Charles Ininger, VtSBDC Business Advisor for Lamoille and Washington counties.
“We had heard about VtSBDC from a family friend and thought it would make sense to have guidance as we navigated through the purchasing process,” Jack explained. “Charley was helpful, knowledgeable, and always responsive to us.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Jack on the project,” said Charley. “He was open to advice, and very thorough in negotiating their lease. Together, we worked through establishing an interconnection between the lease term needed to satisfy the lender’s terms, moving the purchase forward.”
Since taking ownership, Jack and Alex have grown and strengthened their expertise in providing a platform to nurture local artists. Exhibits at Robert Paul Galleries encompass fine art photography, original paintings, and sculpture. Visitors can also experience a wide range of exhibitions, events, and classes open to the community.
Jack plans and directs events and exhibitions, using his experience in client relations to reinforce their reputation for exceptional client service. Alex implements her extensive knowledge of the art world by applying her invaluable talent for discovering artists for both the gallery and clients and directing the key inner workings of the gallery.
What does the future hold? “Growing up, my family background is in the art world,” explained Alex. “I learned early on the challenges of owning and running an art gallery, and I am so excited that we get to do this our way. We have a great foundation that we can mold into our own space, breathing new life into the business. We are really looking forward to adding more interesting, contemporary art into the gallery for the community and visitors to enjoy!”
Robert Paul Galleries is located at 394 Mountain Road in Stowe. Late breaking news: watch for a name change coming this spring.
Learn more at robertpaulgalleries.com or follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Looking for more? Check out our resources page or reach out to your regional advisor!
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