A True Urban Oasis

 

I’m so proud to announce the launch of our Trust Your Blackbird Series, featuring interviews with individuals from all walks of life who have put themselves out there to create something new. I recently visited Oasis Art Gallery in Seattle’s Wallingford neigborhood. A truly unique space, Oasis makes the world of art approachable by providing an inviting, unpretentious environment for visitors. Their diverse collection of affordable paintings, photography, jewelry and crafts reminds us all that art and inspiration can and should be a part of everyday life. As is the case for many small business owners, the journey for Oasis owners Alex and Jeannie Strazzanti was full of twists and turns. Below is my brief Q & A with Alex about how he and his wife found the courage to take that leap into the great unknown.

JD: What were you doing prior to your work as a photographer and small business owner?

AS: My focus in college was psychology, and I focused on non-profit management in graduate school. I worked for 10 years with people with mental-health issues, developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities. My last job was at a non-profit organization, as a manager of a team of Employment Specialists assisting people with developmental disabilities to find employment in the Seattle community.

JD: Why did you feel compelled to take this step? Was it a gut instinct or something that unfolded slowly over time?

AS: It was a matter of timing and a lot of self-reflection, but getting there was a long, gradual process.

My passion for photography gradually increased over the previous 10 years while the joy I received from working in social services gradually decreased. I suddenly found myself at that virtual point on the chart where the two lines crossed; where my joy from photography fulfilled me more than any experience I was having in my current job. I’m sure there were hundreds of events that affected those feelings, but I think one of the most important was that I got married in 2003. My wife and I went to Italy for a month for our honeymoon, and the trip enlightened my perspective on the priorities of our culture.

Life in Italy incorporates a strong appreciation for the arts, and Italians enjoy a more laid-back lifestyle of focusing on the things they are passionate about-namely art, food, and family. This profoundly contrasted with the “rat race” and overall greed that I often see in the U.S. Returning from Italy, I knew that I wanted to focus on my passion for photography in order to share art with others and not continue to climb the non-profit corporate ladder that I had always believed was my path. I have always strongly believed in following my instinct and my passion. When I acknowledged what I was experiencing, I knew I had to make a change.

JD: What were your greatest fears in the beginning and how did you eventually quell them?

AS: Everything is subjective, especially in the art arena. Although many of my friends were telling me I could sell my photographs, I couldn’t rely on that as an accurate market survey. My greatest fear was that despite what my friends and family were telling me, my photographs were not something people would pay money for. In 2003 I decided to set up a vendor booth at the Fremont Sunday Market to test my photograph sales. The first day I sold a lot of my Italy images and continued to do so throughout that first year. I had several shows in the Ballard Art Walk and continued to sell my work for another year. It was during that process that I saw how many talented artists were in Seattle with very few venues to sell their work. My idea was to create a space that bridged the gap between a weekend market and the sometimes stuffy urban galleries, offering high-quality art at affordable prices to the everyday art enthusiast.

The fears around opening Oasis Art Gallery in Wallingford were much stronger than starting the photography business. The financial demands were more significant, in terms of leasing a space, not to mention the fear that no one would come through the doors or that people wouldn’t connect with the artwork we were showcasing. Since art is considered a luxury item in our culture, sales fluctuate with the seasons, economy, and whims of customers.

For the first couple of years, my fears would hit highs and lows according to the financial roller-coaster of high and low revenue months. My wife, who works at the gallery most days, was really the voice of stability and reassurance. She was much more realistic about expectations and affirmed the positive results we had achieved, including the regular customers we were establishing. I am also very lucky to have a supportive family and many exceptionally supportive friends who have helped us in a variety of ways. Overall, the length of time in the business and my support network have quelled the majority of my fears.

JD: What is the best piece of advice you’ve received throughout this process?

AS: My good friend Anna worked with me at my former job and was one of the first people to say to me, “You could sell those photographs!” I have really trusted her opinion and valued her input and advice during this transition of careers. While I was working to open the gallery and problem-solving issues in the weeks before opening, I called her and was expressing my stress level and frustration with various things. I remember being on a 10-foot ladder, talking to her on my cell phone, and she said “Enjoy this process. Enjoy the time you are spending on putting this all together.” At various points in building my businesses, I remind myself that it is not about an end goal, a certain dollar amount of revenue, or an X on a chart. Following your passion and sharing it with others is about increasing the amount of time you spend in your life enjoying what you are doing in the moment.

For more about Strazzanti Photography & Art, please visit www.strazzanti-photography.com.

For more about Oasis Art Gallery, please visit www.oasisinseattle.com

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