How Fate and Frugality Led to Grapevine Art History

Michele Wilson’s journey into art gallery ownership started in a familiar place for most of us: looking for a better deal. But the path that took her from decorating a single wall in her own home to curating a collection of multimedia artwork was far from well-traveled. Over the last few years, she’s taught herself to paint, purchased a business, and walked away from a life-altering car wreck.

As wild as the route may seem, Wilson frames it elegantly: she was called to this.

The Wall That Started It All

Our story begins long before any contracts were negotiated or brushes met canvas. If you want to be particular about it, the threads run all the way back to Wilson's youth. Most families have a few guiding principles for their household that, whether spoken or unspoken, chart their course and define their approach to life. Those ideals shape everything from big decisions – like where to live or go to school – to smaller ones.

Buying décor, for instance.

“I saw a piece of art on the internet that I wanted for my wall, and I thought ‘wow, that is so expensive.’ I was brought up, from my Dad, to try everything. Don’t get in the habit of paying for everything. Try to do some things on your own,” Wilson said. “So I had never picked up a paint brush, I didn’t know anything about acrylic or oil or archival ink. I had never been to an art gallery. I was accustomed to buying art out of T.J. Maxx, Ross, stores that a lot of people buy art from.”

But a guiding principle is a guiding principle, and Wilson set off to paint her own collection for the gallery wall in her house. It took a few months (and more than a little research) for her to get up the nerve to try, but she eventually put together a space she was proud of. Things took an unexpected turn, however, when a friend liked one of the pieces enough to make an offer on it.

“I never thought about selling art,” Wilson said. “I just wanted to paint to create an art gallery hallway in my house. That’s… what introduced me into selling art and got me into a gallery.”

From a Small Redirection to a Massive One

Plenty of people talk about receiving a “sign from the universe” or hearing a divine call to act. Most of them mean something like that first interaction. But for Wilson, the message came even more loudly and clearly.

“At the time, Giddens was a co-op gallery. That means it has different artists who rent their space. So I was coming for an interview, to be an artist in the gallery, when I got into a car accident. A lady hit me going 40 miles-per-hour, full speed from behind,” she said. “As I was laying in the bed recovering, the Lord spoke to me so clear and said, ‘Your art is my art. I need you to protect the integrity of my art. I need you to open up your own art gallery.’”

A woman of faith, Wilson makes most of her decisions with prayer. And, as one might expect after a full-speed collision, the prayers she offered from her hospital bed were laced with rhetorical questions. In the tradition of so many Biblical figures, however, her lamentations and confusion turned to praise as an unexpectedly grand picture came together. 

She had hoped to place paintings here in Grapevine. Instead, she got the chance to curate them.

“[One of] the previous owners emailed me and asked if I was still interested in coming into the gallery,” Wilson said. “I told her ‘we’re thinking about opening up our own gallery.’ She said ‘Hallelujah. Let me know how it goes, because John and I are thinking and praying about who to pass the baton on to.’ 

So my husband and I went on vacation, came back, and called them to schedule a time to meet. Fast forward to four weeks later: we owned the art gallery.”

Making History, Building a Future

Things moved so quickly that Michele and her family didn’t have time to pause and consider the weight of their decision. It wasn’t until she interviewed with the Fort Worth Star Telegram that they realized Giddens became the first Black-owned art gallery on Main Street once their purchase was complete. She hadn’t set out to make history, but even now she tears up at the thought. For her, it’s proof of a higher power at play.

“I never even thought about it,” Wilson said. “When you see me, when you hear about that, it’s not me. It’s God. My testimony speaks to how God works out of what we call the norm.”

Neighbors were quick to rally around her, too, lending a hand where they could and welcoming her to the City. She’s found a way to put her own spin on the gallery, whether by inviting new artists or finding ways to collaborate with local wine tasting rooms, but she remains grateful to the previous owners as well as the community for their support.

“The foundation that was laid was a great, sturdy foundation. So I didn’t have to rebuild; I just had to remodel, so to speak,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind to me and so willing to help. Let me tell you something about Grapevine: I have discovered that Grapevine is the best City to be in… I am blown away by how kind people are, how much they’re willing to help you like a big family. Any reputation that Grapevine has been given as being great place to work, to visit, and to live, it is all of that. That’s my experience.”

If that sounds like the kind of community you want to be part of, let’s talk about where Grapevine fits into your plans. For more stories about unique individuals and businesses here in Grapevine, be sure to subscribe to the ‘Growing Grapevine’ podcast and eNewsletter.