The opening of the Artisan Shop at Allied Arts Guild is another step in returning the historic site to the vision of its founders, Delight and Garfield Merner.
When the Merners created the Menlo Park showplace almost 80 years ago, it was their dream to develop a setting where artists and craftsmen could work in a creative atmosphere. The Spanish Colonial buildings and lush gardens were inspired by the Merners’ visits to Granada, Spain.
The new Artisan Shop is operated by volunteers of the Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary, which owns the Guild. It features many hand-made, one-of-a-kind items, and is located in the Court of the Potters, which housed the original potters who worked at the Guild.
The building across the way was the studio of famed photographer Ansel Adams. Outside the shop’s doors are frescoes by Maxine Albro, a student of Diego Rivera.
The Court of the Potter also includes a gallery operated by the Menlo Art League. The Portola Gallery, formerly located at the Portola Valley Town Center, is also opening soon in the Allied Arts Guild complex. It will display the works of seven painters and a photographer.
The Artisan Shop features the work of California artists in ceramics, glass, designer clothing, jewelry, needlework and more. Elegant beaded evening coats, reminiscent of the 1920s, hang next to shawls of hand-painted silk. Handsome pottery fills niches in the thick adobe walls. A glass-fronted case holds antique crystal and silver. Handmade silk pillows in luscious colors fill another corner.
Jewelry by several California artists is on display. Margy Leibel’s necklaces, using large semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls, have been featured in Instyle, Marie Claire, and “O” (Oprah Winfrey’s publication) magazines.
“We really have something for everyone,” says Tita Koloszi of Atherton, a Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary member. She gives credit to first-year active members of the auxiliary for coming up with the idea.
“They wanted to bring art back to the Guild. They wrote a great business plan to convince the board of directors of the auxiliary,” she says. The auxiliary’s bylaws had to be changed because members were traditionally not allowed to be involved in businesses at the Guild.
Pamela Mallett and Dawn Naso co-chaired the project. Also involved were Lucille Cole, Ilene Cohen, Esther Eitel and Kay Bates.
The shop’s proceeds benefit Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital — as do proceeds from the entire Guild operation.
Ms. Koloszi was helpful because she is a member of the Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild. Several of the Orchard Valley artists will have work on display at the shop through October 15. Ceramic items at the store include flower-arranging containers, vessels and sculptural pieces, along with functional items such as cream and sugar sets, pitchers and teapots.
Jo Killen and Doris Fischer Colbrie are coordinating the pottery exhibition. Lee Middleman of Portola Valley, an internationally known potter, is a local member of the Orchard Valley Guild.
The new store is trying to appeal to a wide audience, with items ranging from costly jewelry to hand-decorated flip-flops.
“We’re trying everything as long as it’s handmade or heirloom,” says Ms. Koloszi.
INFORMATION
The Artisan Shop is located at Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 325-2450.
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