The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Art Smart: Among the many pieces found hanging on Phoenix Gallery's walls are those of 99-year-old San Jose resident Carmela LaRocca. Curator Sheila Sabatino conceived of the idea to morph the frame store into a mini-gallery.

Frame shop expands, adds art to inventory for a second time

Phoenix Gallery displays work of local artisans

By Cecily Barnes

Willow Glen, which has long been known as an artist's community, is on its way to looking like one. Early last month, brothers Michael and Anthony Kwiecien cleared away a space in their Lincoln Avenue frame shop for a local art gallery. Now the Phoenix gallery sells and displays jewelry, paintings, purses, hair clips and unique clothing.

"We're not really focusing on art itself, but wearable art," said co-owner Michael Kwie-cien. "Everything in our shop is handmade."

Although the gallery's primary purpose is not to display fine art, the work of one or two local artists will always color the walls for viewing and sale. Shop curator Sheila Sabatino says many people do come in just to browse and appreciate the art.

The gallery's current artwork includes paintings by 99-year-old San Jose resident Carmela LaRocca. La Rocca graduated from San Jose State University and the San Francisco Art Institute before becoming a professional artist. Her paintings have been displayed in the Rosicrucian Order and the Bargetto Winery and are part of the personal collection of Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev.

"She has shown her stuff in many different galleries," LaRocca's daughter Sally Hawke said. "She's an exceptional artist. She's painted all her life and studied with some of the finest teachers."

Besides LaRocca, other local artisans from San Jose and the Bay Area have work displayed at the Phoenix. Willow Glen resident Therese May's quilted pillows and fabrics are on sale at the gallery.

Curator Sheila Sabatino contacts various local artists, whom she knows from 10 years in the business, and asks them to display their work. Currently she is making arrangements for a ceramist to display her work in the shop.

"Because I've been involved in fashion, I know a lot of designers and artisans," Sabatino said. "I've asked them to come in, and they've honored us by doing so. Now it's mostly word of mouth."

Besides word of mouth, some people might remember the gallery that operated in the Phoenix 10 years ago, when Michael and Anthony Kwiecien first began importing Asian antiques. Sabatino was a partner back then, too, but had to leave the partnership due to personal medical problems. Around that time, the Kwiecien brothers moved their import operation to Sacramento Street in San Francisco and returned to selling just frames in their Willow Glen store.

"Sheila used to be our partner in the Asian import business, and she just recently got well enough to work again," Kwiecien said.

Sabatino says the business, currently displaying the work of about 20 local artists, has started off well. Nearly 200 people turned out on opening night, and many have continued to patronize the shop.

"I can't believe the response," Sabatino said. "It's going to be really complementary to Willow Glen."

[ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ]