Finding Peace

As I've mentioned before, Marc and I first met in 2000 while working together in Orlando, FL. He had relocated from Michigan a few years earlier and quickly developed an appreciation for the peninsula. I had been living in Florida since high school, having originally been born in Massachusetts but moved to Florida during my freshman year. I graduated from Osceola High School in Kissimmee, home of the Kowboys.

After spending time as best friends canoeing and fishing, we realized that, along with my two daughters, we made a great team. We officially became a couple, tying the knot in a small ceremony at a wedding chapel in Kissimmee, FL. There was no big fanfare—besides my daughters, only our parents were present.

Immediately after our wedding, Marc took a position as a courier with FedEx Express, while I pursued a career in transportation management. For many years, we sacrificed holidays, birthdays, and other events to concentrate on our careers, assuring ourselves that our dedication would eventually pay off. When Marc had the opportunity to retire early due to corporate changes, he eagerly accepted. After over 17 years of driving and delivering, it was the right time. Now what? We had been living in Arcadia for a few years at that point and knew it had to be local.

Marc always engaged in painting or creating on the side. We had started collaborating on furniture pieces. Together, we pondered whether there was potential in this. He had participated in art shows and sold several pieces online; could this become a viable livelihood? We began exploring possibilities. Rental spaces for such a venture were scarce and expensive. Then, an opportunity to purchase arose. It required all our resources to get started—but that's where it all began.

We utilized Marc's retirement package for a down payment on a building and other initial expenses. We combined our savings and started reducing expenses at home. We've tried to handle as much work as we can ourselves to minimize costs and ensure we maintain quality where it matters. We've faced several challenges along the way, which have pushed us to learn new things, acquire new skills, and become more versatile. We've had the opportunity to inspire others and have created a space where people share parts of their journey through their art.

Every piece in our gallery tells a story, each crafted by the hands and hearts of artists. As we gathered more stories, we realized the gap we were filling for the people we value most—local artisans. We cherish the ability to create a communal safe haven for artists and art lovers. I invite you to come in and take a look around. Get inspired. Be amazed by the works of people from this small town and its surrounding areas. Recently, some of the challenges have become more complex, but they only make us more determined. Once we overcome this small hurdle, we will emerge stronger and continue to be a tranquil place near and inspired by the river that brought us to Arcadia.

Bridge over the Peace River at Morgan Park Arcadia, Fl - photo by Marc Pletcher