The History of Eau Gallery

In the spring of 2004, Therese Ferguson, a local award-winning watercolorist, and Debbie McElwain began to see their long-held dream of forming an artist-owned gallery which would feature not only original wall art, but also antiques and collectibles and hand-made gifts, begin to take shape when they obtained a lease for 1419 Highland Avenue. Therese and Debbie were joined by Dianne Coursey and Donna Gesler. The four Founders went to work remaking the future gallery space and recruiting other artists.

By the Grand Opening of the new gallery, aptly named Art and Antique Studio, they were joined by six more local artists: Joyce Warner, Andy Mize, JoAnn Gardner, Beverly Morgan Pinyerd, Chris Current, and Barbara May Smythers.

Art and Antique Studio soon became known as a friendly, cozy gallery which displayed the work of extremely talented artists and artisans. 

In 2016, the gallery moved across the courtyard to 1429 Highland with its wonderful windows which flood the space with natural light, continuing its reputation as a first-rate art gallery.

After losing two of the originalfounders, one of whom was the antique specialist, it was time for a new name, a new logo, and a new look. In2018 Eau Gallery was born. Playing off the new moniker, the Grand Opening of Eau Gallery presented a Member Show entitled “H2 Eau” which highlighted paintings featuring water. The watercolor by then member Mary Salvage depictingtraffic through a car windshield covered in rain droplets wasaccepted into the National Watercolor Society Show at the SalmagundiClub in New York City.

Eau Gallery, located in the heart of the EGAD Arts District, has continued to offer the paintings of award-winning artists as well as the work of talented artisans in jewelry, pottery, textiles, blown glass,

and more.  

In the photo, left to right are Barbara May Smythers, Andy Mize, Joyce Warner, Diane (Georgio) Coursey, Debbie McElwain, Beverly Morgan Pinyerd,  Therese Ferguson,  Donna Gesler, JoAnn Gardener, Paul Eero, and Chris Current.