How Anne Hunter Galleries is empowering emerging artists
If you’re searching for passion driven art that tells a story, that’s what you’ll find when you visit Anne Hunter Galleries, located at 25 Central Square next to Amavida Coffee Roasters.
“Developing a passion driven business while helping artists launch their career and pushing them to the next step is my main focus as an entrepreneur,” Anne exclusively told The Seaside Times.
Starting out in the restaurant industry, Anne later embraced what she loved most, showcasing rising artists. The opening of two galleries in Rosemary, a gallery cafe in Watercolor, and a music gallery venue was just the start.
In 2010, she stumbled upon the opportunity to create a space in Seaside where artists could share their stories. Anne jumped at the chance to connect artists with the special space. “Because I’m managing a civic space that is provided by the Davis family, I’m not a revenue driven business, I’m passion driven,” she explained.
Anne said, “I’m passionate about art with meaning and exploring new ideas. An artist who is taking the journey rather than just painting. That’s my inspiration.”
Anne has become famous for launching artists’ careers in Santa Rosa Beach. She explained, “I sit down with the artist and see what they want for the show. Helping foster their growth and creativity is my goal at the end of the day.”
Stepping into her gallery space at 25 Central Square, the essence of Seaside is truly captured through the artist’s pieces. The gallery has been recently revamped, with crisp white walls mimicking the coastal feeling of Seaside, and marble top round tables to finish off the space.
Visitors will find one, two, and three month shows in the gallery depending on the artist’s desires. Each artist has ties to the town, which makes every show unique.
Fan favorites include local Bradley Copeland, 23, an emerging artist who lives in Santa Rosa Beach and is from Birmingham originally. After graduating from Auburn in 2018, she began experimenting with colorful lip prints. She attended the Alabama Art Colony and was awarded the Toni Adams Memorial Scholarship. Her work, which is hyper-feminine and focuses on empowering women, can also be found in Rosemary Beach and Sandestin at Amavida Cafe, and in DeFuniak Springs at PERLA.
Anne elaborates on what it means to be an entrepreneurial woman in the south, saying, “Being a woman in business came with its challenges in the south. This space was very safe for me, especially with The Seaside Style being mostly woman run – it’s very helpful for my business.”
In an effort to help female artists flourish, the next few shows will be focused on producing opportunities for them. Make sure to stop by the newly redone spot right next to Amavida to see her talented artists’ latest works.
