Cleveland's Museum Center at Five Points unveils new store

A members-only sneak peek event at Cleveland's Museum Center at Five Points' recently renovated store fills the reimagined retail space with customers and local artists.
A members-only sneak peek event at Cleveland's Museum Center at Five Points' recently renovated store fills the reimagined retail space with customers and local artists.
photo A members-only sneak peek event at Cleveland's Museum Center at Five Points' recently renovated store fills the reimagined retail space with customers and local artists.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The gift shop at the Museum Center at Five Points has received its first major makeover in 16 years, and more than 100 visitors came to a members-only sneak preview to see the new look.

Museum members mixed with the local artists whose pottery, glassware, paintings and jewelry were prominently featured in a retail space that has been recreated with inventive shelving, re-imagined floor displays and increased lighting.

The new store opened to the public Saturday.

"It looks like we put $20,000 into it," said Hassan Najjar, the museum's executive director, citing long hours put in by staff and volunteers and donations by supporters and partnering organizations.

The refreshed space remains a key component of the museum's mission to tell the story of the Ocoee region, Najjar said.

"It's uniquely local," he said. "We only bring in artists that are from within a 150-mile radius of Cleveland, so it's all local, regional artwork and vendors."

Najjar praised the artists and their works.

"It's fine craft, when you think about it," Najjar said. "These people are producing on a very high level."

Artists and vendors readily shared their passion for crafts during the event.

Skye Armstrong talked about her mother's work as the creative force behind Cougar's Creations. Dale Armstrong is described as a "die-hard rockhound, lapidary, and wire jewelry designer, instructor and author."

"She likes to make things that people can afford that are also elegant," said Armstrong, citing the importance her mother places on creating items that are from the area and that will "hold up to the test of time."

Museum store manager Ken Cagle expressed gratitude toward the artists amid excited conversations and an almost continually ringing cash register.

"It is an honor for these artists to place such faith and trust in us," Cagle said.

Several artists voiced mutual feelings for the museum store.

"The museum store is just one of the finest galleries in the Chattanooga-Cleveland area," said weaver Sherry Johnson. "I love being a part of it because of that factor."

The store's grand reopening is part of a larger late winter programming schedule.

March programs include:

"Novelties and Nick-Knacks," an exhibit that examines how and why people and museums collect things; "Brew-Ha-Ha: Winterfest," which will feature local beer and food from Cleveland and the surrounding area; and several quilting-related events.

For more information, visit the Museum Center at Five Points website at www.museumcenter.org.

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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