Lake Placid Gallery Offers Unique Point of View

I often visit galleries wishing to take work home – on Monday, I did just that. I visited "A Point of View Gallery" in Lake Placid — a magical place with exciting and affordable pieces around every corner I turned, as well a great host: owner, Margarete Schulte.

Margarete and her father – artist and photographer, Rolf Schulte – opened A Point of View Gallery in June of 2008. Rolf, who was born in Meschede, Germany, came to Lake Placid 40 years earlier. He is a self-taught photographer, having carried a camera with him for most of his life. Schulte uses the old techniques for his photography, using medium format film that gives him the greatest control over his images. For his panoramics he uses a camera known as Noblex; he also uses a Rolliflex for his other photography work.

Schulte's particular style has won him the praise of galleries, critics and publishers throughout the region. His work has been exhibited across the Northeast and has appeared in popular Adirondack publications for many years, and can even be found in popular European magazines. His beautiful photography is on display throughout "A Point of View Gallery," and in a room dedicated to his work in the back. As an added treat for the viewer, he's put a glass display case full of his vintage camera collection in the gallery.

With Rolf and Margarete's combined artistic backgrounds, they have created a great space filled with work that showcases a diversity of artists and media. Margarete says they wanted the gallery "to be a place that meets the needs of not only art enthusiast, but also the casual observer." Moreover, she hits the mark with the casual buyer, displaying art for "everyone on any budget." The wonderful work in the gallery is all "hand-crafted one of a kind pieces" including magnets, jewelry, sculpture, and original paintings.

The space itself is flooded with light, and I spent a lot of time absorbing the careful detail. At each turn, I would find something unique to admire. Margarete has an incredible eye not only for what to offer in the gallery – but for how to display the work, which makes you feel like you are inside a treasure chest. I was taken with the brightly colored "Bud Vases," "Clique Vases" and "Clique Tiles" by Ed and Kate Coleman of Wayne Village Pottery in North Carolina. Each small tile is a work of art and I wanted to start my own collection immediately. The shapes of the vases were so whimsical and unique that I wanted to feel the shapes in my hands.

Margarete has a love for color, and you can see it throughout this wonderful collection. The "Spiritiles" by Houston Llew are made of molten glass on copper, and the colors mixed with this process are mesmerizing. The process also keeps the tiles from fading and tarnishing. I ended up leaving with a handcrafted, wooden bird-in-flight by Craig Carey, and an enamel necklace by Stevie Capozio. The fact that I could take a piece or two home with me makes me all the likelier to return – I'm reminded of my pleasant experience when I look up at my little blue bird hanging above my computer. Other work on display in the gallery includes Edison, Katie Sevingny, Jennifer Adair, and The Glass Smith's Studio.

Margarete says they occasionally have shows for emerging artists and juried shows. They have had 12 shows since 2008, including a National Juried Competition and an art/garden book signing. Some solo art shows have included local artists; notably, Sandra Hildreth, Louise Patinelli, John Batki, Arti Torrance, Polly Kurash. She says that they will be doing more shows in the summer and to check out their website and facebook pages for updates. The gallery also does printing of art and photography, scanning of positives or negatives, restoration of photographs and hand-crafted framing.

There is a lot to see and take in at this wonderful gallery and Margarete's welcoming, inviting and knowledgeable presence makes the experience that much more enjoyable. If you are in the Lake Placid area, make sure to stop by A Point of View Gallery. Check out their website for more details and for updates on future shows and new work being featured.