After helping some artist friends with a group show, Laurie opened her first art gallery in downtown Houston in 1989. With her business degree from the University of Arizona and no formal art education, she learned about art in its various forms from artists themselves, visiting their studios, learning about materials and processes, and once even participating in a raku sculpture pit firing!
She also worked for a well-established artist’s gallery in those days to set up an inventory system, a customer appreciation program, and PR for the gallery’s shows and events and was recognized for her natural ability to guide and support clients in their art selections. Laurie was instrumental in helping many artists to become established in fine art and pursue excellence in the field through her consulting business.
She was thrilled to return to the Arizona desert when she was recruited to open a gallery in the central Scottsdale arts district for some gallery owners in Palm Desert, then joined the board of the Scottsdale Gallery Association, and began working with clients nationwide. Laurie spent a year writing for an artists’ magazine, traveling to cover the art scene, interviewing a multitude of gallery owners in 8 cities across the US.
She was later sought out to collaborate on a gallery that specialized in working with interior designers using fine art and sculpture in many forms. This gave her a satisfying opportunity to do project management for large scale projects, managing all phases from design to installation, including many custom pieces, for institutional applications like country clubs and hospitals, as well as Scottsdale residences.
After a hiatus from the art world during which time Laurie pursued certifications in yoga and holistic health, she is thrilled to rejoin her longtime friends at Bonner David, representing the best professional artists and supporting collectors in bringing the healing pleasure and value of art into their homes and lives.