Jessie and Michael Alon of DaValla.
DaVallia: two spaces on the creative continuum between an artist studio, a gallery, a design center, and a makerspace. Davallia: a genus of ferns that includes about three dozen fern species. DaVallia: a name chosen by artists who garden to describe a place that defies description but is rich in variety.
By Meg Brazill
DaVallia Art & Accents is on the creative continuum between a design think tank, an artisan boutique, a home furnishings and design retail space, a fine art gallery, and sculpture garden.
In other words, DaVallia is unique.
For starters, it is located in two spaces in Chester: one housed in a circa-1844 barn and farmhouse in the Stone Village; the other tucked among the Victorian storefronts on The Commons. Husband and wife Jessie and Michael Alon are the creative team who dreamed up DaVallia, an ongoing vision that first came to fruition 10 years ago. The couple’s double vision is now expanding to a triple one: their son, Hayden, 12, has grown to be part of their team.
DaVallia opened in 2008 just in time for the Great Recession, but the seeds of its inception were in 2002 when the couple moved to Vermont, “literally on a whim to reinvent our lives and focus on living well,” Jessie says. They both grew up in northern New Jersey, built successful careers in California, then recognized they weren’t building the kind of life for themselves they had envisioned. A road trip East and a detour to Vermont inspired major life changes. “Within six months we got married, moved [to Vermont], and changed our careers,” Jessie says.
For the next four years, they worked in various jobs while planning, designing, and building a house. While Michael was working on the house, Jessie was developing her own line of jewelry which she launched nationally to the wholesale market through the Philadelphia Buyers’ Market of American Craft. In 2006, she and Michael took her jewelry on the road—literally—to high-end juried craft shows including Lyndhurst, and the Craftproducers and Weston shows in Vermont.
For years they’d tossed around the idea of a gallery—mostly in jest, as it seemed impossible. After a few years on the professional craft show circuit, and traveling with their then 2-year-old son, they revisited the idea of a gallery again—and ran the numbers. The cost of gallery space versus the cost of attending craft shows looked favorable and they took the leap.
“It’s been in our hearts [to own a gallery] since we’ve been together,” Michael says. “So we opened up this high-end gallery. We diversified. We had a web presence.”
The timing was terrible. It was around 2008 and the country was experiencing almost unprecedented economic trouble. “Giving up was not an option,” Michael says. They devised ways to offer more affordable options without sacrificing craftsmanship or quality. The shop became more gift-oriented but they held fast to their aesthetic vision. It was also a showcase for Jessie’s work.
Jessie Alon is known for her terrazzo jewelry, based on a 15th century Italian terrazzo technique. “I take reclaimed marble and recycled glass and crush them into fine powder—the finest would be the size of sand. I cast them into sterling silver bezels and make them into jewelry. They are all one of a kind.”
For Jessie, each piece is all about coming up with a new design. At DaVallia, her jewelry is prominent, but so is the work of about 65 other artists. When DaVallia opened, Jessie turned to the artists and friends whose work she already admired from years of craft shows. Jewelry, pottery, rugs, handbags and home goods are a sampling of what’s available. While the shop on Chester’s Commons is small and the items numerous, nothing is crowded or cluttered. The space exudes lightness and a strong design sense.
About five years ago, the Alons engaged in a new challenge: purchasing and renovating an old farmhouse and barn for showcasing American handcrafted furniture, art, sculpture, and home décor. The new location retains its original beauty and charm, which is supported with contemporary design, furnishings, one-of-a-kind refurbished pieces, glassware, and much more. In addition to offering their own work, they carry the best work from regional artists and beyond. They take pride in curating beautiful spaces and helping others do the same with art, home accents, and unique vintage pieces.
DaVallia’s 39 North Gallery is on Route 103 in the historic Chester Stone Village.
“Nobody expects us to be here,” Michael says. “We’re not what you’d expect in Southern Vermont and it’s definitely not what you’d expect in Chester. When someone walks through the door, you can see their facial expressions change.”
For their opening launch on Columbus Day, 2016, Michael and ceramist Stephen Procter put their heads together and opened a huge art show with 30 of Procter’s large ceramic vessels in DaVallia’s outdoor sculpture garden. When they opened the second DaVallia location, they planned to close the first one, but it soon became clear that they were different spaces: each had something special to offer.
Something else happened in the new space: “Our customers started inquiring about help for their own design problems,” Michael explains. “We’ve always done it for ourselves and for friends. It led us to where we are now, doing interior design. It’s crazy how life brings you in these full circles.”
“For us—for me—I love the idea that this is a creative space,” Jessie says. “It’s always evolving. Because of our personality types, we’re always changing things, transforming them. If you want something fresh, new or different, you’re going to find that here. That’s pretty exciting. And we really love what we do.”
“We’re never going to stop evolving,” Michael agrees. “We’re never gonna stop creating. And we’re very fortunate that we have each other—we’re balanced and we push one another. I feel like we’re just starting. What’s to come? I don’t know but we’re going to keep pushing the bounds of our business and our art—and creating the experience for our clients. We have this huge extended family of our clients. It’s this great artistic creative journey that we’re both on that we’re including other people in on.”
Visit DaVallia Art & Accents in the Stone Village location or on The Commons in Chester. Come for art openings, bonfire parties, wine tastings, to visit the sculpture garden, and to find great art in a great atmosphere.
DaVallia Art & Accents
39 North St., Chester, VT
http://www.thedavallia.com
802-875-8900
