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Tappahannock Photographer creates studio 9 Gallery is picture perfect

August 7, 2007 12:35 am

TAPPAHANNOCK--When Worth Haile first shared her idea of opening a new gallery in Tappahannock, there was no shortage of pessimists.

Having married a longtime resident of the Middle Peninsula town along the Rappahannock River, the former Fredericksburg-area resident and Mary Washington College grad was trying to carve out a vocation for herself.

After working for newspapers in Warsaw and Montross, Haile--the daughter of Fredericksburg artist Ellen Worthy Stokes--came up with the notion of combining her love and skills in photography with her appreciation of art.

"I had this notion that I'd operate a photography studio during the week and then showcase artists and their work on weekends," said the 26-year-old Haile.

As her idea moved from concept to reality, she was struck by the number of people who said that Tappahannock wasn't ready for a new gallery.

"I'm the kind of person who's motivated by that," she said. "The more people tell me I can't do something, the harder I'll work to make it happen."

And happen it has.

Since last fall, Haile's Studio 9 has been a busy place, with the photography business slowly taking a back seat to showcasing artwork and providing events aimed at creating a sense of community in the building that was once a gas station.

One week, there's the opening of an exhibit showcasing artwork inspired by the nearby Mattaponi River.

Another, there's a feng shui workshop, a reading by Virginia's poet laureate or an evening of Sufi dance. And then there are evening meditation classes and more.

A new exhibit kicks off this weekend, "Coming Home: Intimate Moments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed." It's a selection of images from wildlife photographer and Chesapeake Bay Foundation Senior Educator Bill Portlock.

It begins with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the gallery at 221-A Church Lane. It will be the first time many of the images have been shown since Portlock's recent collaboration with National Geographic on the book, "Chesapeake, Exploring the Water Trail of Captain John Smith."

There's a suggested donation of $5 per person, a portion of which will be contributed to the foundation.

Haile said that while the gallery is still a work in progress, she quickly found out that she couldn't operate a full-fledged photography studio

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"I found out that I really enjoyed working with the artists," she said. "I was also surprised that I found myself enjoying the business end of it all."

She's very proud that after five months, she was making enough to pay the bills.

But it's not just about keeping the business in the black.

"Growing up in Fredericksburg, I know what art can do in creating a sense of community," she said. "That's really what I want to do here."

And Haile, who did much of the renovation on the building that had also been a law office and antiques store, is involved in more than just her own business.

She's part of a group working on the renovation of Tappahannock's downtown, a push that's eyeing inclusion in Virginia's Main Street program.

And yes, occasionally there's time for Haile's own photography.

"It's a very organic thing, this business," she said. "I've learned to just follow it where it's leading. And so far, that's been more rewarding than I ever thought possible."