Location, location, location - the most crucial ingredient for success in the gallery business (or for any retail business). So it is hard to believe the long term success of Gallery Zipp.

Remote and rural don’t begin to tell the story, but unique, charming and wonderful do.
Bunny Tobias and Charles Greeley are a married couple of artists who have created a dream-come-true environment in the mountains outside Santa Fe. Many years ago, when property was still affordable in this area, they purchased a huge piece of land which already had two houses on it. This allowed for plenty of studio space for their works in ceramics, collage, mixed media and whatever came along and spoke to them.

Eventually, they decided to open their own gallery right there at home - in one of the houses. Because they are both very business savvy and know how to market their remote location, they have created a showplace that stands out - even in an area so densely populated with both artists and galleries as is Santa Fe.

They are known for for their themed shows which may be based on any interesting idea (currently running is the “Animal, Vegetable, Mystical” show), and which feature the works of artists who are invited to participate - so the artists and the styles change with each show and things stay lively and interesting. Every Spring for four years, book artists have been invited to participate in the Handmade Book Show which continues to be an exciting event - highly anticipated and attended by book artists and book appreciators from miles around.
Early on a recent sunny Saturday morning, I headed out to Gallery Zipp to take pictures of the show - so you could all feel like you had been there too. They didn’t “leave the light on for me” but Bunny did drive down the hill to unlatch the entrance gate which is a mile or so from the gallery. As I pulled in and parked, I passed Charles returning from the chicken coop with three or four *fresh* eggs for breakfast. Now, it doesn’t get a lot better than that!

In the foyer of the gallery is a big bowl of clean, white cotton gloves. Wearing a pair will allow you to handle and interact with the books - and what a delicious treat that is (even better than fresh eggs!) So, put on a pair of gloves and let’s take a turn around the 2004 Handmade Book Show.
“Big Red Under the Apple Tree”

Joe Buffalo Nickels

Clock Book Open

Closed Clock Books by the same artist.

Who “really” knows what time it is??

I really like the placement of the clock hands in all three of these pieces.
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