Designer Opens Home Decor Market Showcasing Artists' Work
Owner Matthew Ames plans to have workshops and talks by the artists whose work he features.
Walker Street Market recently opened next to Town Hall by owner Matthew Ames as a design gallery for home decor items and furniture.
"Really focused on craft in all different materials: furniture, wood, lighting, ceramics, textiles, basketry. So all of these different artists, materials, crafts together in one space," he said.
The gallery features works by more than 70 artists, designers, artisans, and makers. Many are local and from New England, New York, and others across the country and worldwide.
"I created this space because I wanted a space for art and design and craft to be able to be experienced by people in person," Ames said. "I hope that it's a place where people can come and learn and and appreciate this type of craft, craftsmanship, and the skill and time and history that goes into making all of these kinds of pieces."
Ames bought the space over a year ago and got to work, renovating and restoring the building to its historical nature.
"I ... did a huge renovation restoration to the building," he said. "It had lived many lives over the years. Historically, it was a dry goods general store at the turn of the [last] century, and then it was known as Dee's Department Store for about 50 years. And so, when I moved out here, we started a big restoration renovation project to the inside, just really trying to strip it back closer to what it originally looked like."
The building at 22 Walker St. has had numerous occupants over the years including jeweler, tailors, and a restaurant. Ames preserved the floors and ceilings to bring back its past.
"I preserved all of the original details that were here. So the ceiling, the floors are original, and it was just really about preserving those historical details in the space that were still here," he said. "Most of it was just stripping back all that had been added from all the different businesses that had been here over the years."
Originally from the Midwest, Ames studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and was a fashion designer in New York City. He also spent time teaching at the Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago before working in interior design, which he has been doing past 12 years.
He said he has always loved the Berkshires and thought Lenox was the perfect community to open his market.
"When I lived in New York, I used to come up here often and just fell in love with the area, its natural beauty and New England architecture. And so when I started working on this project a few years ago, thinking about where I wanted to open this place and create this space, the Berkshires just felt like the perfect place to do it," Ames said.
"I wanted it to be more of a destination and a place that had history to it in terms of art and craft. And the Berkshires have such a long history of artists and craftspeople working in the area, going back to the Shakers, and so it's such a beautiful area with nature and art and history and so many things that I think speak to what this place is about and all of the artist work that's here."
The building has three storefronts, one of which will be a rotating exhibition gallery with its own entrance.
"I'll be doing seasonal shows there, so kind of group shows, going a little bit deeper into the stories behind the work, behind the artists, telling different stories through the exhibitions over there," he said. "So, a place where people can always come, experience new things, see new things from artists, and learn about what goes into the making of those pieces."
Ames described the market as a space for patrons to experience how to live with objects at home. The setup has dining tables set with dinnerware, breakfronts and shelving with artfully placed pottery and glassware, chairs and sofas and pillows, hanging and floor lamps, baskets and organizational items. It also showcases pantry goods that are for sale as well.
He said the space will always be revolving and showing new work so there will always be new things for people to come and experience.
"It's really a full sensory experience, things are displayed in a way that kind of are reflective of how we live with the objects that we surround ourselves with," he said. "So, there's everything from furniture and lighting and kitchenware, tableware, there's apothecary and fragrances and things to kind of capture all of your senses. There's some pantry items, so really kind of a world of interiors to explore here through all of these artists and crafts that's on display."
He has future plans for workshops and artist talks that can help people engage more with items they're purchasing.
"Down the road there'll be more workshops where people can come and work hands on with artists and work on projects, artist talks, things like that as well. So, really showcasing the work from these artists, but also telling their stories and getting people engaged and thinking about how they can be maybe just more thoughtful with the things that they surround themselves with," Ames said. "Everything here is handcrafted, handmade, and made to last and be passed down. So it's really about getting people to think about things that are lasting, that are thoughtful, made by hand."
Ames is excited for customers to enjoy the market he has put together, noticing that it's a place for anyone to browse and discover.
"I think there's something here for everyone to discover and appreciate. I've been really excited to see so many different types of people coming into the space, all different ages, men and women, and really being excited by the work that's here, and finding something that they feel connected to or an artist's work that they feel connected to," he said.
The market is open from Thursday to Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the market at hello@walkerstreetmarket.com and follow on Instagram @walkerstreetmarket.
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