Steve Sallerson is aiming to generate a little aloha spirit in downtown Greensboro.
Now open across from the International Civil Rights Center, A’eo Fine Art Gallery — named for an endangered species of native Hawaiian wading bird — proudly showcases stunning works by the kind of well-established international roster of artists that patrons might expect to find in much bigger markets like Paris, Miami or Barcelona.
Originally from upstate New York, Steve and his wife, Angela, spent two decades managing the Wertheim Contemporary Gallery and other art facilities in Maui, relocating to North Carolina as fate would have it just three days before wildfires devastated the town of Lahaina last summer.
“We didn't experience the fire, but 34 galleries there burned to the ground and a lot of my artists lost the bulk of their inventories,” Sallerson said. “When they discovered I was coming here, they gave me everything they had left in their studios, and several gallery owners had already consigned pieces to me weeks earlier.”
With that multimedia foundation in place, Steve opened the doors to A’eo in early March after spending several months building out the airy, nearly 4,000-square-foot space.
A’eo Fine Art Gallery owner Steve Sallerson
“I love downtown — the feel of it, the history, the old buildings,” he said. “I looked at a number of different locations all over the country, and I really felt a sense of community here.”
North Carolina’s temperate climate, moderate politics, attractive cost of living and welcoming residents also played a role in inspiring Steve to make the leap and move to Greensboro, a region he was previously unfamiliar with.
“The people here have been wonderful,” he said. “We've loved every minute of it since we've gotten here.”
Striving to fill an untapped niche in the local arts scene, A’eo shines a spotlight on almost two dozen widely recognized contemporary artists from around the world, including Dario Campanile and Pamela Sukhum.
“I'm not an artist myself,” Sallerson said. “I have creative ideas in my head but I just can’t get them out, which makes me appreciate what the professionals can do all the more.”
After admiring the diverse wealth of works on display, A’eo customers can purchase anything that speaks to them to take home and enjoy.
“Art is such a personal choice,” Sallerson said. “You instantly know whether you like something or not. Buyers often have a tendency to overcomplicate things. I tell them, just keep it simple. If you love it, buy it. Every piece of art you own makes your life better.”
Steve plans to participate in local First Friday events in addition to hosting live music and visiting artists for meet-and-greet weekends, growing his program offerings as A’eo finds its footing.
“My goal is to get people to walk through the door and experience the art for themselves,” Sallerson said. “This is what I love to do, and I’ll keep doing it as long as it’s fun.”
A’eo Fine Art is located at 201 S. Elm St. in downtown Greensboro. For more information, call 808.344.4963 or visit aeofineart.com to take a video tour of the gallery.
