A Place For Artists

Story By Natalie Salvatore

If you’re an artist, owner of The Little Art Collective Samantha Buell encourages you to reach out and join this new gallery’s growing network. Upon moving to Auburn in the summer of 2021, artist Buell had started looking around for a place to display her own art.

“There weren’t a lot of great options as far as galleries or boutiques,” Buell said. “I was disappointed and spent months trying to decide what was next for me.”

However, things turned around when she found a space as part of the micro-retail shops at the Southerly Warehouse in Opelika a year later. Her interest in wanting a space for her work transformed into a new idea of starting an art gallery after learning of the company’s motto, which centered around community building and encouraging creativity in start-up companies.

“I didn’t have the idea for the Collective until I saw the space, and it all came together so quickly,” she said. “‘Be the gallery you wish to see’ kind of moment.”

After studying environmental conservation in school and working in the restaurant industry for much of her life, Buell took a chance on starting a new hobby a few years prior to the Collective when she bought painting supplies after a photograph inspired her.

“I immediately fell in love,” she said. “I’ve always been creative and kept a sketch book most of my life. Sketching just wasn’t my language, but painting clicked right away.”

Buell has had two art exhibits of her own, using that personal experience to her advantage as a business owner.

“I’ve sold a modest amount of artwork and completed custom works for friends and friends of friends,” she said.

With her business, Buell said she strives to bridge the gap between artists and the surrounding community.

With her art gallery, she provides a welcoming place for artists to collaborate and feel celebrated for their contributions to creativity in art.

Each month, the gallery typically displays between 12 to 18 artists, showcasing different art mediums such as ceramics, jewelry, fine art, photography, folk art, glassware, prints and stickers. With each month’s new works and new artists also comes midweek wine nights and a chance for the artwork to be sold.

Buell said she had no idea that so many artists were in the surrounding Auburn-Opelika community. This was another reason she said she knew her business was the next best step in terms of what Opelika could gain. With posting on social media platforms to find and connect these artists to one another, she realized the extent of the local interest in displaying artwork right in her backyard.

“I am thrilled to provide a space for local artists to connect with the community, and I hope it continues to grow,” Buell said. “Art is for everyone — every medium, every price and every age.”

Not only do adults have the opportunity to showcase their work, but children did too. She explained how students from kindergarten to 12th grade competed in the Junior Federal Duck Stamp Competition in 2022 as budding artists.

“We love encouraging children in the arts,” Buell said. “There is nothing sweeter than a local second grader or aspiring artist coming in with their parents to see their artwork in a gallery with other artists.”

Buell said she hopes that future artists will continue to collaborate, perhaps even in a larger space someday. She is proud that her gallery represents the region’s artists and the growing local talent.

“We are off the beaten path of downtown Opelika, but we are a must-see,” she said. “Art impacts how we perceive and interpret culture and contributes to the identity of our region.”

You can find The Little Art Collective at 309 S. 10th St., Suite C. Hours of operation run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekends. New showcases start the second weekend of each month. For more information, call 334-787-9181 or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thelittleartcollective.