The Gallery at Flat Rock to have new owners effective June 1

The Gallery at Flat Rock will have new owners, effective June 1, according to a May 18 news release.

Opened in 2015 by Suzanne Camarata, the gallery will now be owned by Julie and Phil Wilmot. The Wilmots also own the Art on 7th gallery in Hendersonville.

Camarata told the Times-News May 20 that she is moving to Dallas, Texas, to help take care of her parents. When she decided to move, she approached the Wilmots in the hopes they would purchase the gallery.

“I’m so glad it’s staying with someone who loves the local community versus someone coming in from outside,” Camarata said.

According to Camarata, the Gallery at Flat Rock currently features approximately 50 different artists working in a variety of mediums, ranging from painting and ceramics to jewelry and clothing. She said in her nearly decade in Flat Rock, the gallery has “become a hub for the community.”

She said the gallery has given her the opportunity to not only enjoy art, but also to make new friends.

“My favorite part is just the way it’s been integrated and the fact that so many people have embraced it for a place to see new art,” Camarata said. “It’s just a very welcoming place and it’s been a chance for me to get to know people.”

Julie Wilmot told the Times-News May 20 the reason she and her husband agreed to purchase the gallery was to keep the “institution” in place.

“Our decision to purchase the gallery was solely based on the fact that we believed that the Gallery of Flat Rock, what Suzanne has grown it to be, I consider an institution in the Flat Rock and Hendersonville area,” Julie Wilmot said. “We just couldn’t imagine it not being there anymore.”

Julie Wilmot said that when she and her husband opened Art on 7th nearly three years ago, Camarata was always “supportive and helpful” with helping them get the gallery started and to be able to continue running it.

Julie Wilmot said there is plenty of room for both galleries in the region and wants to offer as wide of a variety of art as possible to have the region be known as an “art destination.”

She said she and her husband will continue working with nonprofits at both the Gallery at Flat Rock and Art on 7th because they “have a heart” for philanthropic work.

“Trying to set an example to everyone that every little bit counts and being able to draw attention to nonprofits who count on contributions from the community and individuals and businesses is something that we’re already committed to,” Julie Wilmot said.

She said she and her husband do not intend to change anything about the gallery and want the community to know that.

“The spirit of Suzanne will be in that building and at all times in every decision we make will be made with, ‘What would Suzanne be thinking?’,” Julie Wilmot said.

The Wilmots are looking forward to owning both galleries, Julie Wilmot said, and they are excited to carry on the tradition Camarata created at the Gallery at Flat Rock.

“To be able to be a part of that is a privilege,” Julie Wilmot said.