Ann Gilbert, co-owner of American Art Gallery, says that COVID-19 made her become a bigger contributor to eBay.
Gilbert had to go from a small account to a bigger account on eBay because the gallery could not have walk-ins to keep the bills paid.
"I'm very happy to have the walk-ins again. I'd say it was a stressful time to realize that we didn't know how long it was going to be before we could go back to normal," Gilbert said.
"What I consider normal is beginning to happen now, and I'm very grateful for every customer that comes through those doors," she said.
Gilbert closed the gallery the second week of March last year and reopened the gallery the second week in May, when they didn't immediately have walk-ins; people were scarce.
As a business owner, she has learned to appreciate the walk-ins and learned how to list things on eBay better; to try to make a difference in the money coming in.
For the future of the gallery, Gilbert said she feels that it will continue to see a rise and will continue to welcome in people, which she thinks is a wonderful happening.
"I hope to have more success as I don't list my consignment pieces on eBay. I only list the paper prints and things that are gallery items," Gilbert said.
American Art Gallery opened on Jan. 22, 1993. The gallery is owned by Willie and Ann Gilbert, according to the art gallery's website.
The gallery represents local, regional, national and international artists and is a Thomas Kinkade (Painter of Light) showcase gallery, the website said.
The upstairs space houses the Thomas Kinkade Showcase Gallery. The remainder of the gallery represents more than a dozen other artists, including Redlin, Barnhouse, Bush, Hanks, Govinder, Peterson, G. Harvey, Dyke, duBoise, Challenger, Frace, Thornton, Coon, Wysocki, Meger, Kunstler, Strain, Troiani and many more, it said.
"The gallery participates in the monthly downtown Gallery Walks, which bring the entire downtown area alive with art lovers. Demonstrations by artists are scheduled to coincide with the Gallery Walks, held the first Friday of each month," the website said.
Originally, the walks were on the first Thursday and Friday evenings of each month, but was changed to the first Friday of each month and remains so today.
To keep Gallery Walks well-coordinated, gallery owners and resident artists meet both formally and informally regularly, and all galleries participate with a series of demonstrations, lectures and changing exhibits for the public to enjoy, the website said.
"As the tourist hub of the state, Hot Springs attracts a varied clientele, and the galleries reflect that with equally diverse artworks, attracting artists from around the country and the world," it said.
Throughout the years, the gallery rotates new art shows with artists presenting and demonstrating their fine arts, according to the website.
In 1988, Ann Gilbert exhibited art in the national park across from the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa when the Beninis visited Hot Springs.
"The Beninis were impressed with the exhibit and, after walking through the historic district, decided Hot Springs was where they wanted to live and establish an arts community," the website said.
"They returned to Hot Springs a few weekends later and purchased the building that became known as THEARTFOUNDATION, and with enthusiasm, hard work and cooperation with other art patrons and artists, helped to launch an artistic renaissance downtown," it said.
In 1989, Gilbert's art pieces were on display at the Arkansas Art Gallery, which was located on Spring and Broadway Street, according to the website.
In the 28 years that the gallery has been open, Gilbert has learned to be more open with people and not be as bashful as she first started.
"I enjoy visiting with people from other states, and you learn other ideas. They can tell you about what they've seen in other places. (It) just makes a very interesting day to interact with others," she said.
Gilbert said she was inspired to go into art by her son, even though she was interested in the field at a young age.
"I had a business college education, not art, but if you're interested in art and you like it, you will study it. Read all the publications when they come out, to learn all the latest happenings and (learn about) art and all about it," she said.
Gilbert's son wanted to have art lessons. He wasn't old enough to drive, and the public schools didn't offer art at that time. She started going with him because she didn't want to sit in the car all day while he was in art class.
"I started taking art classes, and I enjoyed it. Now that son is 50 years old and works for Vanguard as a graphic designer. He graduated from John Brown University, and he also attended Henderson State University," Gilbert said.
"I had always been able to paint and draw, even as a child. It was not difficult for me, and taking the art classes with my son was very easy and enjoyable. Although he was left-handed, and I'm right-handed," she said.
Gilbert said that she feels art gives people a better understanding of when they view pieces; it shows them what went on in the past and how to better themselves.
"When you look at art, you realize we can do better with our culture today. The only way that you're going to realize things like that is if you view all of it and look at it with an open mind. To understand what went wrong and what we could do better," she said.
"It's an important thing to have art and sculpture. In viewing a piece, a person can put themselves there at that time," Gilbert said.
Gilbert feels art can also be a memory that can possibly be a trigger for an individual that is from their childhood as well as beautiful florals that can influence peace and quiet.
She said that art could also trigger a memory that people may not be too fond of, but individuals need something in their homes that they can enjoy that brings peace and happiness.
Gilbert painted her own piece of the Black Fork Mountain trail in Mena.
"I thought it was a very lovely area. I had a friend who took me out there to paint it. It had a flat meadow and mountains," she said.
The gallery has had a lot of art pieces come in, but the one that impressed Gilbert the most is a World War II illustration called "Utah Beach" by John Paul Strain.
The painting is of Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. on the morning of June 6, 1944, armed with a .45 colt and clutching a wooden cane, leading the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division ashore in the first assault wave at Utah Beach on the Normandy coast of France. The Utah beach landing was the most successful due to the conduct of Roosevelt.
"It is a part of our history that is very important," Gilbert said.
"Art relates to the present and the past. It's history on a canvas or on paper. It helps us with our culture," she said.