We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Miller Gelber recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2016 I left a really cushy, high level role at a large gallery + design firm. I was 26 and had been given the opportunity to manage a huge business at a mere 22 years old. By my 24th birthday I was making well over good money in the arts (!), planning gallery openings, directing 40+ artists, and helping clientele design their dream homes. Buying trips to High Point Market and New York City were a part of the job. Budgets for exhibitions were flexible (within reason). It was totally dreamy, but still felt wrong. I was living out someone else’s dream.

By the fall of 2016 it became clear to me that I needed to start thinking about that I personally wanted from my profession. While I had been given the chance to flex my creative muscles on a daily basis, much of my job felt very much predetermined. The wheels had to keep on spinning and therefor sales goals had to be met monthly, bigger was always better, and a lot of what I was being encouraged to do didn’t resonate with my soul. It was time for a change.

One Thursday afternoon I knew it was time to see my way out. It was terrifying. I had no real backup plan.

One thing my parents instilled in me was a heathy work ethic. They are multi-business entrepreneurs so my childhood looked a bit like a sitcom. I did my homework at the bar with Tony, the functioning alcoholic bartender. I knew how to rig a catamaran at the age of 8. I picked up old cigarette butts from the beach for 5 cents a pop (with gloves on) for extra cash at the age of 12. My 18th birthday gift was a real estate licensing course… not exactly what I has asked for. In lieu of this upbringing, I was taught the importance of hard work and flexibility.

After a month or two of job searching with the bar set a little too high, I began to reflect on what I liked most about my time directing the gallery. The one thing I kept coming back to was the art, artists, and joy people felt when acquiring something that they connected with. The gallery life it was for me… and I am proud to say that The Miller Gallery is turning 6 this year!

Sarah , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The Miller Gallery represents 26 artists and counting. Our roster is 90% women. We love the variety of styles and price points we offer clients. A new collector can buy a piece of original art for $70. Those looking to make an investment in a more tenured artist will see we represent some pretty incredible creators who have pieces in museum collections and beyond.

In addition to our full gallery inventory available online, we love working directly with clients to help them find artworks for their homes, offices, etc. Our headquarters is perfectly designed for in-person consultations with a viewing room and all artwork stored on-site.

I’m really proud of our ability to provide harmonious options to those looking to collect. I believe our gallery gives off a certain energy, which in turn attracts people who are looking for more than just “something to fill the space”. Even if we’re working with a corporate client, we’re able to bring some soul into their spaces thanks to our artist connections.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

We’re doing a 90 degree turn right now! I had a baby girl 8 months ago and as any small business owner knows, parenting and running a business do not always go hand in hand. In effort to give my little one the time she deserves and to maintain the health of my business, we have transitioned to a hybrid gallery model. What I mean by hybrid is online and pop-up/outside exhibition focused. We shut the doors to our East Bay Street gallery in Charleston and opened up a really fun headquarters on Meeting Street. The HQ is open to the public by appointment, while 100% of our artwork is available to view online 24/7.

Transitioning the gallery has been a really unique experience for both us and our artists. We’re working with a PR firm right now to work out some messaging to better explain our offerings. It seems that we are one of only a few art businesses in the country working in this model. We’re able to give clients who book an appointment 100% of our attention, which wasn’t always possible when groups would walk through the gallery doors in our old space. Now we can highly curate online releases, attentively work on our consulting projects, and better market the artwork we are showcasing.

The vast majority of clients have expressed support of our change as they know how complex parenting + small business ownership can be, but of course there are the few that are disappointed to see our 1500 sq.ft gallery space close. I miss the light pouring through the windows in our old space on East Bay, but I am incredibly fulfilled being able to better serve our artists and clients. Change isn’t always easy, but this pivot feels appropriate for this time in my life.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

That’s an easy one! Shop local or from small businesses. A conversation I have so often with people visiting Charleston is how and why our town stays so charming. A big part of that is because it was built on small businesses. The 50+ boutiques, galleries, and quaint wine shops along King, Meeting, and East Bay Streets make our city super Instagramable, but without patrons buying from these storefronts (or their online retail options) we will continue to see less and less of the creative ecosystem in our daily lives. Many small businesses now sell through their websites, so if you believe in a maker or brand, give them a follow on social, share with friends, book mark their website, or make a note that you want to support them when it’s time to gift something to a loved one.

Contact Info:

• Website: themillergallery.com
• Instagram: @themillergallery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillerGalleryCHS
• Other: Phone: 843-764-9281

Image Credits
Select photos by Kate Blohm