Feury Fine Art Gallery to close

Feury Fine Art Gallery is closing at the end of the month. The art gallery is located at 116 N. Fifth Street in Hartsville and is owned by Robert “Bob” and Dianne Feury. The gallery showcased Robert’s artwork as well as that of other local artists and they did custom framing, restoration and printing.

Dianne said they opened in downtown Hartsville in 2008. Prior to coming downtown, the couple operated a gallery and frame shop in the Oates community where they live.

Dianne said she is grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the merchant community in downtown Hartsville.

“I learned more of the character of Hartsville,” Dianne said. “I have really enjoyed getting to know the people in Hartsville and the people in nearby businesses.”

Dianne said they have become involved in Black Creek Arts and other art organizations. Robert has had his work exhibited at the Black Creek Gallery and in Frogmore’s restaurant. He also teaches classes at Black Creek.

Through donating to charitable organizations, Dianne said they have met so many people they would never have met otherwise.

“I feel like we have become more a part of the community by being here,” Dianne said. “We now have roots growing in the community. It is now ‘my community.’”

In all, Dianne said their decision to open a gallery downtown Hartsville was a good one. However, she said the economic downturn and the desire to showcase Robert’s work in other galleries around the state factored into their decision to close.

She said, “Bob wants more time to devote to his painting. She said it was his dream to have a gallery to showcase his artwork; however, the demands of operating the business took away from his creative time. He is employed full time at Sonoco Products Co.

 “I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful artists we have been privileged to work with. I also want to thank our great customers and friends for their loyal support. Feury Fine Art will continue to operate as a business entity in which I intend produce and sell my original watercolors and giclee prints,” stated Robert in a release announcing the closing of their gallery.

Dianne said Robert will continue teaching art at Black Creek and pursue his art and now she will be free to help her husband market his artwork.

Bob’s work already hangs in other galleries, Dianne said. But they will be looking to enlarge the market for his art.

“He has a talent,” Dianne said.

While Hartsville has been most supportive, Dianne said, the potential for admirers and buyers is limited in a smaller market such as Hartsville. They will be trying to broaden the potential for both admirers and buyers by marketing his art in larger cities such as Charleston and Myrtle Beach.

Dianne said they will still have the equipment for framing and printing, but they won’t have regular hours of operation. She said her husband will continue to frame his own watercolors.

“We will also do some framing and printing for those who we had a prior relationship with,” Dianne said.

A former science teacher, Dianne said she doesn’t know if she will return to the classroom. For now, Dianne said, “I have a child in the Navy going to school in Charleston.”

While marketing Bob’s work in Charleston, Dianne said, there is no reason not to stay around and visit. She has friends and three grandchildren she would also like to spend more time with. And she is already planning trips with her mother-in-law.

Dianne said she plans to stay busy.