Geoff Robinson, owner of Consignment House Gallery, took the time to chat with Charlottesville City Lifestyle about what makes his shop a special place to explore.
Can you tell us a little about your shop and what makes it different from a typical secondhand store?
I think the curating -- just the fact that we are a bit more of a gallery. We’re more picky about what we take in -- [there’s] a higher level of inventory than your average consignment or secondhand store. We have some really good ones here in town. My focus is on modern art and not as much of the antique, though I do have some; I focus on 20th-century to mid-century and more modern. Most of the artists are still producing. Obviously some have passed and we’re representing their estate. There’s just a focus on the caliber and uniqueness of items -- not stuff that you can find anywhere. If everything in the store could be one-of-a-kind, that would be my ideal.
What kinds of treasures can shoppers expect to discover when they explore your space?
Vibrant, colorful pieces. I really like things that will uplift people’s environment. I want everything to give people a little sense of upliftment, brighten their day -- something to have in their space that brings them joy. Hopefully, there’s something in here that’s going to make someone say, “Wow, that’s something I wasn’t expecting and it makes my day!” That’s my hope.
Is there something currently in the shop that you’re particularly excited about?
There’s this one piece that’s a bronze Chinese mask I found in a store in Massachusetts on a trip. It’s a reproduction -- probably 20th century. I went in this store and I saw it and said that is just so unusual, so I negotiated with the shop owner and brought it home.
What got you into sourcing antiques and curating this kind of collection?
I’ve loved the store for at least 30 years. I knew the previous owner -- he was a regular at Firefly, which my wife owns. So he said he was interested in a potential new buyer and over a few months of thinking about it, I said: “I could do that.” I grew up around a lot of antiques and art up in the Delaware Valley, across from Winterthur Museum. I just love the arts -- glass, paintings, furniture, metal work. I love the work that goes into it. I wanted to turn Consignment House into a gallery, but a gallery just wouldn’t work -- there’s so much art to represent. I morphed it in that direction, but a lot isn’t directly through an artist. Somehow, I inherited a good eye for space design and composing pieces together -- I spent a lot of years in restaurants and making spaces look inviting. And I felt honored to be able to shepherd this space and to maintain it and keep it going.
Is there a best time to come in and discover something special in your store?
I’d like to say it’s when I’m there. Weekends are the busiest but most guaranteed for me to be there. I have good staff that’s there. Tuesday through Friday, Holly is there for jewelry from 11-3, if you’re looking for jewelry. Sunday evenings are generally slow and chill, and I’m there. It’s hard to say the best time.
Any tips for spotting a diamond in the rough?
I guess it’s harder and harder. Because of the internet, everyone can find things. Everyone can be an expert by looking stuff up. You really have to dig and look in the back corners and see if there’s a little treasure. I guess it [also] depends on what you’re looking for. I’m often looking for a new artist. I’ve been in restaurants and cafes and found some amazing new art.
Also, perseverance -- just keep looking. Check out as many places as you can. Know what you’re looking for. It's like there’s something in your eye -- it just gets caught. See something, look closer, and decide it’s cool or hey, it’s not.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
We also make house calls to look at people’s items that they’re trying to find a new home for. A lot of people are downsizing or thinking about it. I like coming to people’s houses after they’ve emailed some pictures and see what they have that might be helpful to move through our store.
Raised in Delaware near esteemed art institutions like Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library, and the Brandywine Museum, and the son of a photographer for the Hagley Museum, Geoff Robinson developed an early love and appreciation for art in all its forms. In 2019, Robinson began curating the collection that can be found at the Consignment House Gallery on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, featuring collectibles, paintings, furniture, jewelry, and more.
Robinson is also a devoted supporter of local and regional artwork, with paintings from Aina Neergard, Randy Smith, Edward Smith, and more available in the shop as well as glasswork by Chip Hall. When he's not busy curating the collections at Consignment House Gallery, he enjoys frequenting McGuffey Arts Center, particularly to admire the work of the glass-blowing artists at Raging Buffalo Glass.
For more information about Consignment House Gallery or to set up an appointment for Robinson to assess any pieces that you may be interested in parting with, visit ConsignmentHouseCville.com.
Hopefully, there’s something in here that’s going to make someone say, “Wow, that’s something I wasn’t expecting and it makes my day!” That’s my hope.