When thinking of what to name this gallery experiment, I consulted my favorite reference book - the thesaurus. Looking for a good alternative word for small/tiny/miniature turned out to be a more difficult task than I had expected. So many words meaning small have a negative feeling , and do not express the oversized joy that exists miniature things.
The other challenge I faced when naming the gallery is how the memories and nostalgia of my childhood are linked inextricably to this toy that my dad made for me when I was three years old. How can I name it anything that doesn’t do justice to this object that is so important to me? How can I illustrate the grand ideas I hope this gallery will house in a name?
Like so many other projects, I decided to approach naming this space as a game. Surfing the internet, one can find formulas for finding you fairy name, your pirate name, your super hero name, and so many other aliases to giggle over. My formula was to used the first name of the person who gave me this timeless gift and the street name where I received it. Seeing as it was a gift from St. Nick and I lived on Quarry Lane as a small child, the persona of Nicholas Quarry was born. I like the potential story telling opportunities that creating a character offers. Also, there is a a solid practice of naming museums housed in former homes after their benefactors.
Small art can be powerful. Artistry expressed in miniature form can be inspiring. Wrapped in the familiar form of a dollhouse imbued with memories and nostalgia, these ideas come together to create tremendous potential for creativity. Even thought is a small space, I hope the Nicholas Quarry Gallery will offer true and meaningful art experiences to those who see it.
When my dad was building this on our basement, I would talk to him through the laundry chute, and he would talk back in the character of the elves who were helping Santa. I would ask, “How are you elves doing down there?” and he would answer, using an appropriate elvish voice. I never went downstairs to investigate Santa’s Quarry Lane workshop. I don’t remember our conversations but I do remember the thrill that Christmas morning when I finally learned what Santa’s helpers had made especially for me, just a few steps away in our basement.
Some of the dollhouse furnishings that were left in the dollhouse. Some were store bought, some were made by both my parents, all were (and are still) treasured.