Wrens Nest Inc
Wren's Nest Gallery at the Carriage House
on the grounds of The Victoria Inn
in Anniston, Alabama

AFTER MORE THAN 3 DECADES WITH THE VICTORIA INN, THE WREN'S NEST GALLERY IS MOVING... 


Home gallery of Artist Larry K. Martin will expand its internet marketing and image licensing operations.


After thirty-plus years in a beautiful, rustic, 140-year old carriage house on the grounds of The Victoria Inn in Anniston, Alabama, the Wren's Nest Gallery will soon vacate that location.  When the "barn doors" close at the end of April, the local retail operation will cease, and Wren's Nest, Inc., will focus on other facets of the business: internet marketing of Larry's artwork, and the licensing of his images to collectibles-marketing corporations, and promotional-image use by private companies and organizations.  Wren's Nest Inc. will continue publishing and distributing Larry K. Martin prints and giclees.


President of Wren's Nest Inc., Crystal Hancock notes, "By stepping back from the demanding 'Carriage House' retail portion of the business, the Wren's Nest will be able to concentrate its efforts toward a broader base of collectors, art dealers and wildlife enthusiasts ... and that goal is most achievable through the internet and one-artist shows.

 

"We are most grateful to all of the collectors and friends throughout the country who have visited the Wren's Nest Gallery over the decades, to enjoy a close-up view of works by one of the nation's recognized wildlife artists.  The Wren's Nest at the Carriage House has had the extended privilege of hosting countless civic organizations, school field trips and study clubs, as well as out-of-state travel groups. 

"Strong in my memory was one event that seemed to define the city's image in those early years ...  'Festivanni', when the Victoria's grounds were filled with tent-to-tent exhibits by artists from across the country."  This was quite a switch for Larry-- his home gallery hosting some of the best wildlife artists in America-- when he was accustomed to being a guest artist in their respective states. 


"Another unforgettable event was billed as 'America's Goatman Day', and local fans queued up to the gallery door throughout the weekend, waiting to have their prints co-signed by Mr. Ches McCartney and the artist.  The celebrated 'King of the Hobos', Steamtrain Maury, was also on hand to sign the prints that featured him.   It was estimated by the Chamber of Commerce, that over 2,000 people came to the event."   


Martin recalls the catastrophic effect of the closure of Ft. McClellan. "When the unthinkable BRAC vote was finalized that sad day, we decided to salute our military neighbors by inviting them to the Wren's Nest.  Each of the 250 participants with a military i.d. card was presented with a personalized eagle print, "Above and Beyond'.  We had never had a more appreciative group of guests.  It only underscored our realization that this area was losing a stellar segment of its population--  professional, and world-wise travelers ... and enthusiastic art collectors.  More personal, was the exodus of many true friends."

 

Larry did mention that two groups from the orient were almost as appreciative as the military.  On behalf of the City of Anniston, Larry presented a delegation from Anniston's "Sister City" Xingu, Japan, a large "Trumpeter Swans" print with a porcelain remarque and the artist was presented a magnificent (2/3- scale) Samurai helmet. 

 
He also recalled a visit by a group of 30 representatives from South Korea.  "They seemed to agonize about what they wanted to purchase. Then, one member picked up a "Brush of Blue" (blue bird print) and walked to the register.  Within just a few minutes there were 30 Koreans lined up at the register, each with a "Brush of Blue".  That was one of the few times we've had 30 prints of one subject on hand at the same time ... rare, good timing.   Foreign visitors were frequent during those days."

 
"Speaking of indelible memories," Crystal adds, "the 1985 inaugural season for the Victoria (and the Wren's Nest) coincided with the Christmas holidays ... and that hill-- illuminated and glowing white-- was one of the most impressive sights I've ever seen in the South. It was a point of pride that the gallery was part of that panorama."

 

The artist expressed gratitude to clients and past employees (a combined staff of more than 150 people).  "We have enjoyed a cordial relationship with the half-dozen or so owners of the Victoria over these decades.  We wish Senator Marsh the best in re-creating this unique property.  It would be a pleasure to drive by this hill in the not-too-distant future, and see another eye-popping interpretation of what has been a hallmark for our city and state."

Larry's original paintings, limited edition prints and giclees, as well as collectibles featuring wildlife, landscapes and other subjects will continue to be available from the Wren's Nest at www.larrykmartin.com and www.wrensnestinc.com.  These websites promise to unveil several new categories of art and a Virtual Walk-through Gallery within the next few months.  The Wren's Nest Gallery Facebook page welcomes everyone to correspond and look for announcements and postings.


The travel component of Wren's Nest, Inc., "ImagExpeditions", will continue to book "Art/Photography Safaris" to the tropics of Africa and South America.


Gallery Hours in April until closing:
Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm


New Mailing Address:
Wren's Nest Gallery, Inc.

1414 Golden Springs Road, Ste 164
Anniston, AL 36207


Telephone:
256-238-0710

E-mail Addresses:
Gallery:
wrensnestinc@gmail.com

Larry: larrykmartin@wrensnestinc.com

Crystal Hancock: cdhancock@wrensnestinc.com

Facebook:

Larry K. Martin

or

Wren's Nest Gallery, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larry K. Martin’s intricately detailed works allow viewers to glimpse the beauty of nature while observing the respect with which the artist treats his subjects.  Life experiences are often reflected in an artist’s work, so it is easy to see why Larry’s paintings show such a range of emotions, subject matter, and rendering techniques.  In recent years Larry has again gone “full circle” by returning to the tropics- this time to paint subjects from the rain forests of South America and the dry savannahs of Africa.  He has traveled in the mountains and Amazonian jungles of Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, and led photographic safaris to Kenya in 2001 through 2014. He plans to continue to host annual group safaris to Africa, Central and South America. He has led fifteen photography safaris to Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa between 2001-2015.
Upcoming Larry K. Martin works are likely to include familiar subjects from his native southeastern United States as well as the more exotic subjects from his safaris.  As he views it,  “Variety keeps the creativity flowing.”.

 

 

 Honors and Accomplishments       
 

¨       Listed in “ Who’s Who in American Art

¨       Included in Goldblatt’s “Artists of the Century”

¨       Received Meritorious Service Award, National Audubon Society

¨     Presented  “Key to the City, Birmingham, AL

¨       Only artist to receive the “Living for America” Award,  for his efforts in conservation

¨       Licensed Larry K. Martin images appear on hundreds of products, including greeting cards, murals, knives, calendars, plaques, apparel, coasters, table accessories checks, and more than 175 different collectibles by The Bradford Exchange.

Special Commemorative Prints and Collectibles

¨       1985-86 Alabama Duck Stamp

¨       Sponsor Artist, Ducks Unlimited Print

¨       Commemorative Print Series for the Cahaba River Society

¨       Eagle Conservation Print, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

¨       Bicentennial of U.S. Constitution, Commemorative Eagle Print and Bicentennial U.S. Marshals Eagle Print

¨       James Madison Memorial Foundation- Commemorative Eagle Print

¨       Centennial Celebration of the Song “America the Beautiful” commissioned by The Bradford Exchange for a series of Commemorative Steins, Plates, Ornaments, Print and    Sculpture editions

¨       Original Bald Eagle painting commissioned by the Center for Domestic Preparedness, U.S. Department of Homeland  Security, unveiled at that facility on September 11, 2002

 

 

 

Gallery (256) 238-0710
Mobile (256) 239-4470
 larrykmartin@wrensnestinc.com
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