By Kellie Mason
Chapel Street in New Haven is crowded with Yale University students and men dressed in Italian loafers and silk ties. The sun is shining, but its warmth is deceiving because it is one of the coldest days of the year.
Nestled among boutique shops and restaurants is Wave Art Gallery. The small gallery and gift shop, owned by Phyllis and Joseph Satin, has occupied its spot at 1046 Chapel St. for 30 years.
The shop regularly features local artists, said sales associate Rob Russell. The art varies from glass to jewelry, landscape paintings to hand-painted platters, greeting cards to photographs. Russell’s favorite local artist is Will McCarthy.
Naomi Lehrer, another associate, agreed and said her favorite thing they sell is the jewelry.
The store has high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows to allow natural light to shine through. The white brick makes for a very simple background for the many paintings tacked on the walls. It smells like evergreen and cinnamon candles. A bell rings every time the door opens.
Russell and Lehrer said the shop’s location is perfect for their clientele.
“Everyone comes in here,” Russell said. “Students, famous professors, actors and lawyers — even Alan Dershowitz stopped in.”
Because of its location, Wave welcomes people from many different walks of life. Customers rarely leave empty-handed.
Folk band Aztec Two Step has been seen shopping in Wave.
“The store has so much to offer,” Russell said. “You can get boutique-style clothing or custom, hand-painted cake platters.”
Russell chats with a woman about the wide selection of jewelry, ranging in price. He said having a conversation with the customer enhances their shopping experience.
“As a customer, I always like to be greeted when I enter a store,” Russell said. “If I don’t get a hello I walk out. And that’s why I say something to everyone.”
A customer mentions to Russell that she sent a custom platter to San Francisco.
Russell said the Satins love featuring and supporting local artists and creatives who live and work in New Haven.
Every month the gallery hosts an event featuring a local artist.
Almost everything in the shop is created locally. The Satins noticed there was a need for a place to house paintings and glass-making that was created in New Haven.
“New Haven is rich with culture and art.” Lehrer said.
Kellie Mason is a senior journalism student at Quinnipiac University. She can be reached at kellie.mason@quinnipiac.edu.
Q Reporting 