An engineer, an artist and a gaggle of kids may be just what it takes for the makings of an unforgettable small town legacy. This may not have been Ann Jackson’s goal when she and her husband decided to take a leap of faith and attend framing school so that they could save money finishing her works of art, but sometimes fate intervenes and puts us right where we should be.
However, the road to fulfilled passion is sometimes long and winding. This road was fraught with corporate job resignations, exploding gun shops, chance meetings and ultimate success. With a quick education on how to pivot in an instant, the Jackson family built a family culture and business in which Roswell King, himself would find pride. With all of this, the Ann Jackson Gallery was born, giving Roswell its chance to brush with greatness and bring world-renowned works of art to downtown, hence, influencing an art explosion in the city.
From selling original works out of her garage to opening her gallery on the Roswell Square, Ann Jackson and her family’s aspirations blossomed into something no one could ever fathom. The family business was thriving so much that Ms. Jackson’s eldest daughter, Valerie felt compelled to quit nursing school and lend her business sense to the family’s endeavors. With all the family’s unique gifts and talents, the gallery was unstoppable.
With Valerie’s parents retiring, she bought the gallery from them in 1986 as they left for a life of sailing. After a gun shop caught fire and blew its top, there was an opening for a new business on Canton Street. “I went up to Canton Street and saw the space and there were these great big windows with the sky up above and I knew this was the place and I moved the gallery to Canton Street”, remembers Valerie.
Here, Valerie and her family would enjoy 36 years of gallery shows, framing beautiful art and showcasing some of the world’s best pieces. By serendipitous circumstances, The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss by Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) which is housed all over the world by public and private collectors, made its way to the Ann Jackson Gallery. When Valerie got a chance to be a steward of his art, she was thrilled. “Dr. Suess changed my life as a child. I couldn’t get my hands on enough of his books. I just fell in love with Dr. Suess. So, here I was, years later with the opportunity to become a Dr. Suess gallery”, says Valerie.
In addition to the Dr. Seuss collection, the gallery has been host to countless trunk shows showcasing the likes of Renoir, Cassatt, Mick Fleetwood and John Lennon. John Lennon’s white piano graced the gallery at one time as did, “The Lost Weekend: The Photography of May Pang”, which is a collection of candid photos of John Lennon during her 18-month relationship with the singer.
As time went on, the changes to Canton Street, becoming an entertainment district, prompted various moves for the gallery. Eventually, Valerie moved the gallery home where she continues to enjoy hosting private events, shows and framing works of art for her clients in Roswell.
Valerie Jackson and her mother’s gallery continues to be a source of pride for Roswell and so eloquently exudes the ambiance and charm that a small town gone big always hopes to preserve. For a private gallery viewing or framing services please visit: https://annjacksongallery.com/
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"Dr. Suess changed my life as a child", says Valerie Jackson.