Sullivan's Island Winter-Spring 2019-20

14 www.SullivansIslandMagazine.com | www.SullivansIslandHomes.com J ulie Cooke was a chemical engineer for 15 years before opening Sandpiper Gallery on Sullivan’s Island in September 2001. Although the two careers seem worlds apart, Cooke said it was a natural progression. “I learned entrepreneurial skills as a project manager,” she said. A second degree in design helped her hone her eye for selecting artists and the works shown in the gallery. It also helped that Cooke developed a love of art as a child. “My mom is a very creative person. She does pottery, painting and screen printing. She encouraged us to be artistic, too. She even let us use her real paints. I was never particularly good at it, but creating art is therapeutic for me. My original plan when I opened the gallery was to be in the back creating. That never happened,” she laughed. Cooke said it was challenging opening a business in the beginning. “It was like jumping from the Queen Mary into a little rowboat,” she said. Over the past 19 years, that little rowboat has grown into a full-fledged ship and Cooke has captained it for nearly two decades with no intention of docking anytime soon. She added to her fleet by opening a second location on Broad Street in downtown Charleston in 2005 and named it the Dare Gallery. The passion Cooke feels for the art gallery business is obvious. “It’s true what people say about doing what you love,” she smiled. “Art is really important. It speaks a common language that tells us we’re more alike than we think.” She pointed out that being an artist is not an easy profession and finding avenues to sell artwork can be difficult. “I like helping artists stay on the same path by marketing and selling their work. Artists get just as excited about selling their 50th painting as they do their first. Many are amazed that people like to put something they made into their lives.” Once Cooke takes on a new artist, that artist usually stays with her a long time. “I enjoy seeing their paths of discovering what their artistic voices are. They make it look easy, and it’s not,” she said. “I love art and meeting the sometimes quirky, yet endearing people who make it.” Sandpiper Gallery is known for its eclectic work. The showroom is a bright- colored wonderland of hundreds of artistic masterpieces – paintings, photographs, pottery, jewelry, ceramics, dolls, wood creations, blown glass and so much more. At least 80 artists are represented at Sandpiper Gallery. Cooke’s mother, Judy Kepley, is one of them. Her creations are good sellers. Jim Darlington, a Sullivan’s Island resident and renowned painter, has been with Sandpiper Gallery since it opened. Barbara Bergwerf, another island Photos by Tonya McGue. Julie Cooke Supporting Artists Is Her Passion By Tonya McGue