- April 25, 2024
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Penny Shumate is celebrating The Salty Mermaid's second anniversary on Saturday, May 22. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Salty Mermaid showcases about 35 artists' work. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Inside the shop, Shumate also hosts art classes. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Aside from local art, The Salty Mermaid also offers jewelry and home decor. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond-by-the-Sea art gallery boutique owner Penny Shumate's new motto is "Keep calm and mermaid on."
“It’s just the perfect motto for what’s been going on in the past year," Shumate said. "Just wait out the storm.”
Owning a business is never an easy feat, but add a pandemic to that equation, and perseverance becomes key. Shumate's shop, The Salty Mermaid, was closed for two months due to COVID-19. A challenge, but one she can say she beat successfully as she prepares to celebrate her shop's second anniversary on Saturday, May 22.
The Salty Mermaid's two-year anniversary bash features an artist meet and greet, on-site painting classes, live music, raffles, food and refreshments. The boutique features art from 35 artists, all in line with the shop's whimsical ocean theme, and the shop also doubles as an art studio. The schedule for weekly art classes are listed under the events tab of The Salty Mermaid Art Facebook page.
Shumate said she's looking forward to celebrating with the community and the artists.
“It feels like a great accomplishment with all the challenges that we faced in the last two years," she said.
Prior to the pandemic, The Salty Mermaid had to close for a month after Hurricane Dorian. While the storm didn't directly impact the shop, the front window shattered as Shumate and a few others were boarding it up in preparation. They had to move all the art to the back of the shop, and after the storm, wait a month for the glass to be replaced.
A resin artist herself, Shumate said one of her favorite things about coming to work is being surrounded by beauty. She doesn't have a long commute either — she lives a few houses away from her shop.
The Salty Mermaid has become more than just a business though. Shumate said that, in the past two years, she has created many friendships with her featured artists and regular customers. And, she still thinks Ormond-by-the-Sea is the "most perfect place."
“Everybody that comes in has a smiling face," Shumate said. "They always say this is their happy place and they can just walk in and instantly feel stress free. It’s just a really nice way to go to work.”
Visit Facebook.com/TheSaltyMermaidArt/
