ÆRENA Gallery

Lovely pieces. This is not a Napa gallery filled with tourist vineyard landscapes.
Why the harsh rating?
I could not help but laugh when I read the review from someone who felt ignored. I walked in this gallery a couple days ago and was ambushed by multiple people who would not shut up and let me look around. There were some pieces I was interested in considering and needed space. Not only do these people fail to take a freaking hint…(«Thanks, I would just like some time to look» is way more than a hint.), they continued to fire away.
Where are you from?
How long will you be in town?
Where are you staying?
Don’t you just LOVE that? Where will you hang it?
Here are 3 more of those (pulled out from the back) Which do you like best?
The artist was just in here. Did you see her? Did you meet her?
This one is my FAVORITE. Which is yours?
Should I hang this up for you? You can see it better if I do.
Shall I hold that up in better light for you?
These seem like reasonable questions. But this was rapid fire. LIke every 6 seconds.
I made the mistake of coming back in a 2^nd time to consider some works by an artist who does small paintings of birds on birch branches with silver and gold leaf. Again… the onslaught by 3 employees who would not stop asking me questions, crowding me, and completely preventing me from considering the art. Further, they are clueless about knowing when to bug off.
I wonder how many other potential buyers walk out for the same reasons.
Take a hint. When a customer answers you with 2 word answers and avoids eye contact, this means… lay off a bit. Two of the women even asked as I we walked out, «Gee, I hope we didn’t scare you off!!!‘
So you KNEW you were being complete annoying pests and you continued to do so?

When you travel alone a lot and visit a number of galleries it is always frustrating when the curator sits behind her little desk pecking away at her computer and largely ignoring your presence simply because you look young — it happens more than you’d guess… but not at I. Wolk.
With a fantastic collection of items largely from Bay Area artists and an open space presenting the art in an eye catching fashion I found the customer service at I. Wolk to be exemplary despite the fact that I wasn’t looking to buy immediately. With a vast knowledge of the artists presented and a diverse understanding of the arts in general I can’t recommend this place enough — if/​when I head west next I’ll be back, ideally this time with a decorating budget in mind.

This is a very nice gallery on main street, but they also have other outposts, including a small shop at Auberge du Soleil.
Main Street is lined with some really unique and great art galleries. This one tends to sell a lot of sculptures and modern-​ish art. My family’s purchased several pieces by Robert Kvenild from here and I’m a huge fan of Terrie Kvenild, who I’m assuming is his wife or other relation. They sell her gorgeous horse mosaic sculptures, which just cry for a prominent spot in your home or garden.
Come check them out! Although most pieces are pricey, we’ve found some sculptures here– such as those by Monty Monty– that aren’t an arm and a leg AND are beautiful.