Inspiring Conversations with Nancy Fischman of Fischman Gallery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Fischman.

Hi Nancy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have always been interested in the arts–from theater and music to two- and three-dimensional artwork. When I turned 60 and was eligible to take classes at East Tennessee State University without paying tuition, I signed up for a ceramics class. I had done some ceramics work earlier and wanted to return to it. I had also been working with a not-for-profit theater company, The Road Company, in Johnson City and was involved with the Johnson City Area Arts Council. I had begun to think about my own studio space and finding somewhere to have a creative space I could share with other artists and hold community events. After buying a surplus kiln from the university, I sought a place to store it. I happened upon an old warehouse in downtown Johnson City that was being used to provide storage space for people to rent. After talking with the rental business owners, I found out that the building might be coming up for sale. I then spoke with the owner’s nephew, and we agreed to discuss the purchase after his aunt passed away. So, in May 2016, I became the owner of a 6800-square-foot building–a bit significant for a single studio! Here was my chance to create a creative space with a gallery, art studios, and even a bakery cafe! I hired a terrific architect who was able to take my ideas and transform this open warehouse into what it is today–an art gallery in which I can showcase local and regional artists with month-long exhibits, 14 studio spaces for working artists to create and collaborate, and a bakery-cafe to bring my youngest daughter home from California to showcase her artistic pastry skills. The gallery hosts small events, music ensembles, poetry and spoken word, and theater. Oh, and I also have my own studio space for ceramics, a kiln, and a glaze room. There is also a classroom for artists to teach classes in their chosen medium.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I told my husband I intended to buy a building, he gave me a shocked look. I told him I could turn around and sell the building for much more than I bought it for–Commerce Street was just about to explode from redevelopment. But, when it came down to figuring out how to pay for the renovation, we began to suspect that we may have bit off more than we could chew. I looked into a bank loan, but the monthly payments seemed out of sight. I also got an offer from someone to buy the building and rent the space back to me, but the suggested monthly payments were also more than I wanted to spend on something I didn’t own. We self-financed the renovation after reviewing the estimates and our savings and investments.

I had always heard that working with the city took a lot of work to renovate a business. Still, I was lucky enough to work with an architect and contractor who had already done numerous projects in Johnson City and knew the codes and permitting process. We had very few problems with inspections and worked with city inspectors to ensure everything was being done to their standards.

I took a co-starters class, which gave me significant information about setting up a business. I had never done anything like this–I was a complete novice and needed all the help I could get. I am still learning, but it is getting easier as time progresses. I have two businesses operating at 133 N Commerce St–Atelier 133 and Fischman Gallery. The Atelier, registered as an LLC, houses the studios, cafe, and gallery. The gallery is a not-for-profit with its own 501(c)3 status. I had to learn how to keep records for both entities and file all the necessary paperwork. Fortunately, my daughter takes care of the bakery.

The biggest challenges right now are keeping this old building in good working order–there are always things that need fixing or additions and enhancements to equipment to consider; seeing that there are things we should have done during the renovation that weren’t; and changing expectations regarding obstacles put in place by outside organizations. Overall, these obstacles and challenges have workable solutions in most cases.

I am amazed that I have all 14 studios rented out, with minimal expected turnover. The gallery is scheduled through 2025 with local and regional artists’ exhibitions. Art sales could be better, but that will come over time. The bakery is thriving. I have a terrific assistant for the gallery and several good volunteers. We now have a website and are looking to enhance our social media presence, which will happen this year. The process has gone a lot smoother than I initially thought it would.

We’ve been impressed with Fischman Gallery, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
Fischman Gallery holds monthly exhibits featuring local and regional artists. The gallery, booked at present through 2025, aims to promote the incredible talent of artists in the Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina region. The gallery intends to build an audience for local art and customers who will become collectors. With our main competition being galleries in Asheville, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Nashville, the gallery is poised to become a center for artistic talent that collectors will recognize they can enjoy in their backyard instead of traveling for hours to see. And the artists in the region will have a place in Johnson City that they can rely on to exhibit and sell their work.

Let’s end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
This region has many unrecognized talented artists, and few places exist to view their work. My goal is to promote our artists and have a local audience that appreciates the talent in this region. Some artists here have work in established galleries in larger cities, including New York, Atlanta, and others, and are known abroad. But, many remain undiscovered and have as much to offer. I hope that through Fischman Gallery, more artistic talent can be discovered, that more people come to the gallery to view new talent and to enjoy being part of a growing art-loving population, and support the work of our local artists by buying their work.

Image Credits
Kalliope Yvonne (gallery shots), Paul Braxton (shots of me)