news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Meg Sternberg didn't foresee a national economic slump when she moved her Heart of Living Gallery downtown 10 months ago.

Other art galleries had opened along South Elm Street, and Sternberg opted to relocate hers from New Garden Village to join them. She could escape nearby highway construction and reduce rent costs.

"I felt strongly that there was a need to create an art community, an art sector downtown," Sternberg said.

She invested more than $35,000 to upfit the new location at 320 S. Elm St. It saw an upswing in foot traffic and sales of original art, jewelry, furniture and accessories.

"Then October hit, and everything started to slip away," Sternberg said.

So rather than continue to lose more money, Sternberg will close the gallery by March 31.

She plans to continue operating the business via its Web site and e-mail, offering art for sale, consultations, art commissions and classes.

It isn't the only Elm Street gallery shutting its doors.

Winterfire Craft Gallery at 226 S. Elm St. and The Blue Diamond Gallery at 604 S. Elm St. closed in late December.

The Yew Tree Gallery, which recently closed at 524 S. Elm St. after eight months in business, will reopen in The Blue Diamond space on Feb. 1.

But with Heart of Living's closing, 50 artists will lose one local venue in which to sell their work.

That saddens Greensboro artists such as Judy Meyler and Addren Doss, who sold paintings there. Doss saw her pet portrait business take off at Heart of Living.

Sales have declined not only there, but for artists in general in recent months, Meyler said.

"Unfortunately, art is something that some people think they can live without," Meyler said. "Art is a luxury, so it's easy to eliminate art first."