Tracery, an online art gallery, opens in Charlotte
August 31, 2023
For art’s sake: A new online collective curated for a Queen City aesthetic aims to simplify — and demystify — purchasing art.
by Cathy Martin | photographs by Heather Ison
Shopping for art can be intimidating, especially for new buyers or those just beginning to build a collection. Some brick-and-mortar galleries are open only by appointment; other online galleries require clients to submit an inquiry to view prices.
“I think all of that deters people from original art,” says Tracey Wooster, a Charlotte interior designer. Last month, Wooster debuted Tracery, an online collective featuring carefully selected works by southern artists. The initial launch included about 30 pieces from nearly a dozen female artists.
Wooster, a Georgetown University graduate and Charlotte native, transitioned from pharmaceutical sales to interior design after her family moved back to the Queen City in 2019. She launched Tracey Wooster Design a year later after working at Whitney Sturge Interiors.
Tracery is an offshoot of her design business. “When you’re in interior design, you’re always sourcing things,” says Wooster, who would spend hours scrolling Instagram searching for art for clients. “I felt like there was this gap in the market in terms of that buying experience for original art, and I wanted to modernize that process.”
Though Wooster also sources art from traditional brick-and-mortar galleries, she admits not everyone has the budget — or desire — to spend five figures on a painting. Others might be looking to invest in a single statement piece but still want original art for the rest of their home. At Tracery, she plans to keep prices in the $150 to $4,000 range.
Wooster already had a relationship with some of the artists in the collective, having previously purchased their works. Tracery’s roster includes local abstract artist Martha Serenius; Louisiana artist Caroline Schneider; Nashville mixed-media artist Karen Davis; and several Atlanta artists.
Wooster looks for a variety of mediums (paint on canvas, panels, mixed-media) and sizes, but most importantly, she’s looking for a certain aesthetic. “I wanted pieces that I could imagine hanging on people’s walls in Charlotte,” she says, and that are cohesive with a variety of interiors.
She hopes eventually to partner with other small businesses in hosting occasional pop-ups, but for now, the business is online only. She hopes Tracery can serve as a vetted resource for casual collectors and inspire new buyers to develop an appreciation for fine art.
“I know in my own personal experience, I was not interested in original art until I bought a few smaller pieces. And then once I hung those on my wall, they brought me so much joy.” SP
