Lisa Fox’s “Leiper’s Creek Gallery” Celebrates 20 Years of Fine Art and Ultra-fine Hospitality

Leiper’s Creek Gallery is unexpected, especially as fine art galleries go. First off, it’s quite a surprise to find a world-class art gallery in the tiny village of Leiper’s Fork. Almost as astonishing is to discover sincere Southern hospitality in a place that might be perceived as high-falutin. Leiper’s Creek Gallery is anything but.

The fact that fine art can co-exist in a friendly place is thanks to proprietor Lisa Fox. She pays as much attention to extending hospitality as she does to choosing the art exhibited in her gallery.

“They are of equal importance to me,” Fox says.

An artist in her own right, Fox carries the soul of the place squarely on her shoulders, making all decisions about exhibiting artists, attending to every detail of design and welcoming visitors as if she’s swinging wide the front door to her own home to invite in old friends.

From its 2001 beginning, Leiper’s Creek Gallery charted a unique path to distinguish its place in the world of successful, fine art galleries. Staking claim to a former gas station in the unincorporated village of Leiper’s Fork, with a miniscule population of 650, in rural middle Tennessee, came with some definite risks.

What Leiper’s Creek Gallery brings to the community and to its customers can be wrapped up in one word - authenticity. That, it seems, is the reason for the success of the gallery, now celebrating 20 years in business.

Among the celebrated at Leiper’s Creek Gallery are four Master Artists – Roger Dale Brown, Dawn Whitelaw, Anne Blair Brown, and Marc Hanson. Of the 23 artists exhibited, 17 are local. Each one featured is already established either nationally or internationally and has a distinctive style with brilliant technical abilities. All are award-winning. Exceptional art is important, but equally important to gallery owner Lisa Fox is that each featured artist is a person who pursues the highest and best not only in their art, but also in their life.

In addition to the art, Lisa created a homey ambience in this former gas station turned gallery. She invited Robin Rains, of Robin Rains Interior Design, to bring in her fine furnishings to stage and sell along with the art. The modern contemporary and antique mix wo

rks perfectly with the eclectic collection of art. The furniture creates a setting to relax, decompress and experience a true sense of place. The furniture provides a perspective of how the artwork might look in a private home. And staying a while gives the visitor time

to enjoy the aesthetic of the historic building, including the alluring fireplace and 15-foot ceilings.

Then there’s Abigail, Abby for short. She’s the pit bull/lab Lisa rescued who is widely known as the friendliest mixed-breed dog to ever take-up residence in a fine art gallery. To this Lisa Fox says, “Bring your kids, bring your dog.” And she means it.

Don’t worry, no dogs, or kids for that matter, have ever run amuck. Somehow, when people, all people, walk through the doors of Leiper’s Creek Gallery, a warm, sincere feeling of welcome takes hold. It’s like they’ve walked into a favorite aunt’s place, where no matter how busy she is, or how pristine her home appears, no matter how expensive the furniture or how precious her art and collectibles, you are always made to feel at home.

Welcome to Leiper’s Creek Gallery. Come and see us.