“Wall Street Shoes” reads the ad, in almost imperceptible paint, on the exterior brick wall that makes up the interior wall of Terrazzo Gallery in Benton Harbor. “Bull Durham Tobacco” reads another.
Terrazzo Gallery is the latest endeavor by Benton Harbor Arts District veterans Kathy and Jerry Catania and offers what Kathy calls “an eclectic mix of antiques and unique finds.”
The gallery also showcases Jerry’s work. There are blown glass, including vases, candle votives and garden globes, and mixed-media sculptures incorporating molded glass.
“It’s one-of-a-kind,” Kathy said. “It’s an open-faced sand mold. The glass is ladled in, in its molten state, and it picks up all the textures and depressions that were made in the sand.”
Removal destroys the mold, making each casting unique.
The still life oil paintings on the walls at Terrazzo Gallery are the works of neighbor Scott Elliott.
Elliott occupies the two spaces next to Catania’s, Wall Street Antiques and Wall Street Studios, which he uses for painting. Wall Street Antiques is filled with antiques, old books and art, including ceramics by John Wilson and artwork by other artists associated with the Lakeside Center for the Arts.
Elliott, and his wife, Eileen Cropley, are “old timers” in the Arts District, too. Scott ran the former New Moon Gallery, while they renovated the old Salvation Army building where Cropley started the Citadel Dance and Music Center. This is about the same time the Catanias were restoring the Hinkley Building across the street and turning it into Water Street Glassworks. That was nearly 20 years ago, and today those buildings help anchor Benton Harbor Arts District.
As the group joins forces in a new venture, the members also are content to hang out, catch the breeze and see how things fall out.
“We love it here,” Catania said. “We love the brick streets. There’s plenty of parking. There’s lots of workday traffic.
“We had a successful Grand Opening the 21st of June.
“We’re happy to be expanding the Arts District in this direction, on this side of Main Street, and to be growing the downtown.”
Open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Wall Street Antiques is located at 74 Wall St., Wall Street Studios at 76 Wall St., and Terrazzo Gallery at 78 Wall St.. The three storefronts are across from the St. Mary’s Hotel, one block south of Main Street, between Pipestone and Colfax.
“As business grows, so will our hours,” Catania said.