(above) Roselyn Sanders Mendez curates the works consigned for sale in the shop. The art for sale includes jewelry, furniture, metalwork, paintings, photography, and other media – an eclectic mix that can change daily.
If you remember the Mellow Moods cafe in Shepherdstown, you’ll know where to find The Artist’s Confluence & Mercantile, a new shop opened just after Thanksgiving by co-owners Roselyn Sanders Mendez and Todd Cotgreave. Mendez is a local artist and Cotgreave ran the former Town Run Tap House, a popular community gathering & performance space. The new shop presents the work of dozens of local artists & artisans on consignment for sale.
Talking about the story behind the name — “confluence & mercantile — Mendez remarked, “This space was originally built to be a general store and has a history as a gathering place for the community. I think of a confluence as two rivers coming together, and I wanted this to be a place where artists can join together, where they can present and work in a dedicated space. When artists can communicate with each other, it’s like creating new currents that drive us. With the pandemic we lost a lot of opportunities for community and conversation and we’re hoping this space can be a place to rebuild both.”
She continued, “This community is full of talented people keeping traditional arts alive. It can take a lifetime to build these skills, and showcasing these works is an opportunity to inspire others. We’re hoping this is a place where folks can see and speak with the artists. For example, there was a fourteen year old who was fascinated by one of Dan Tokar’s metal pieces — and Dan was here to explain how he made it. For many artists, it’s important to have an audience to receive our creations. I know for myself, I appreciate seeing my work move out into the world so I have the mental space to create new work.”
Mendez says she hopes this will be more than just a gallery: “We want it to become a place to offer wares and connect with the community. We see it as an alive space, bringing new ideas together.”
The Artist’s Confluence & Mercantile, 119 West German St, Shepherdstown, WV. FB: The-Artists-Confluence-Mercantile. Email: TheArtistsConfluence@gmail.com. Open daily (FB msg or email for current hours). Artists’ consignments welcome.
By Staff Contributor