Catalyst Ranch is famous for its menagerie of vintage furniture, décor, and toys as well as its oft less recognized body of artworks. This inspirational collection wasn’t crafted over-night. The gallery has been curated by Catalyst Ranch’s owner, Eva Niewiadomski, during each of our 19 years in business. So, to celebrate our 19th anniversary we wanted to do a month of appreciation and reflection starting with our artwork. To do this we had some of our Ranch Hands talk about their favorite pieces of art in the Ranch and what they mean to them. Let’s take a look!
Shawanda Love – Ranch Hand Extraordinaire
“I Love the African Warrior tapestry hanging in Jitterbug. Its strength and resilience reminds me of myself. “
Krissy Dabrowski – Operations Director
“I chose this piece because I love mixed media artwork. I love the silhouette of the woman with the simple clean lines. I also love how her wardrobe is made out of fabric which gives it another level of depth. Overall, I think it’s a fabulous piece and she lives peacefully in our Foxtrot room. 😊”
Kira Hernandez – Senior Client Services Manager
“This one from the Jitterbug room is my favorite. I love the style, the time period, the colors. It’s also just such a large tapestry so it makes such a statement, so regal, so fancy!”
Bryan Bosque – Social Media Manager (He liked the same piece!)
“My favorite piece is the tall orange tapestry in the corner by the windows of Jitterbug. I like the flowing lines of the couple depicted and of their garments. It reminds me of vintage fairy tale illustrations, but also, the side profile and some shapes make me imagine they’re a King and Queen from a traditional deck of playing cards, at the youthful start of their romance, stealing a moment from some regal ball to smooch in the garden.”
Lyndon Stewart – Managing Director (That’s me!)
My favorite is a vintage Mexican Day of the Dead costume with carved rabbit heads from Oaxaca. It hangs kind of ominously by the 4E Kitchen and early on in my time at the Ranch an event client put one of our costume crowns on its head. From then on for several years (before the crown was finally removed) we affectionately referred to it as “The Bunny King.” We liked to tell stories about how it ruled the Ranch décor kingdom and floated around at night once everyone was gone.
And last but not least…
Eva Niewiadomski – Ranch Czarina
“I think my favorite piece is the large tapestry, of the African woman, that was in the 3W reception and is now in the Samba kitchen. I have a special fondness for textiles and I love the various textures that are involved in the piece with the sequins, beads and fringe. I also love the symbolism of the bowl held by the hands at the top of the scepter as it represents Africa and the goal of one unified nation despite the existence of so many different tribes and cultures. There is just something peaceful, maternal and reassuring about her that lets us know that someone is guiding us and we are not alone.”
19 years of hard work and a lifetime of memories. Each little detail at Catalyst Ranch can inspire thoughts and feelings that stick with us wherever we go.
What are your favorites works of art at the Ranch? Let us know in the comments below!!!
Revisit a few of our previous Anniversary Celebrations here!
