METAIRIE, LA – Jax Frey, an award-winning New Orleans artist who creates bold, colorful, highly textured acrylic and mixed-media paintings with Louisiana-inspired and figurative expression will open her own gallery and gift shop, Jax Art & Gifts, at 103 Focis St., in Old Metairie, on April 1, 2016.
The gallery will be open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Jax's popular line of mini art 4-inch square paintings – Little Views – features Louisiana icons and images, and can be found in local gift shops and galleries throughout the state and in collections worldwide. More than 15,000 Minis have been sold in her career, and the new gallery will feature a "Wall of Minis" – each original and unique – for art-lovers to peruse and collect.
In the last few years, Frey's product line expanded from original art to prints and giclees (fine art digital prints), to specialty items and gifts that showcase her images from paintings. She now has a line of more than 25 products, including dishes, tote bags, aprons, scarves, umbrellas, coasters, trivets, signs, crosses, mugs, gumbo bowls and ornaments.
"I've always told people that I don't have my own store, but my work is carried by many wonderful places such as Forever NOLA, Roux Royale, What's New, Judy's at the Rink, Fleurty Girl, Little Miss Muffin and many more," she said. "But eventually it was only natural that I would think about opening my own gallery to show my artwork and products."
Frey said Jax Art & Gifts will be a colorful combination of studio, gallery and gift shop, where she will work on her creations in addition to visiting with customers and collectors who come inside. The latest original artwork will be there along with the ever-expanding gift line. There will be a Gumbeaux Sistahs bench – featuring the characters in her unique line celebrating New Orleans women and friends – and a setting where friends can take pictures together while toasting with Gumbeaux Sistahs wine glasses.
"I'm excited about this project and look forward to meeting new friends and old at Jax Art & Gifts," Frey said.
Frey is also the co-founder of the Women of Infinite Possibilities, an empowering women's group that is spreading its roots from city to city across Louisiana.
