By Maria Leichty
Susie Rachles busily organizes her artwork as customers file in and out of the store. Hors d’oeuvres and 12 of Rachles paintings greet them as they walk into Delaney’s. Knowing many of them, she stops to say ‘hello.’
“It turns into a big social club,” Rachles’ said.
This social club was the Zionsville event, Holiday Preview, which was on Nov. 20. Many of the stores stayed open late to showcase their new holiday merchandise, and at Delaney’s on Main Street, Rachles was the main event. She is a local artist who started displaying her art at Delaney’s last month after a short time of having a gallery in Carmel. Before that she had a gallery in Zionsville for eight years.
Delaney’s saleswoman Stacey Hamilton helped bring Rachles to the store in the first place.
“To me, it was a no brainer to introduce Susie at the event,” Hamilton said. “It was great timing with Thanksgiving coming up.”
Rachles said the preview gave a purpose to her art. She displayed pieces such as “Trader’s Point Hunt Club,” “Bob the Carriage Horse,” and “Mama Grizzly,” which covered the front window for passers-by to see. Each painting had an old-fashioned name tag with their size and prices.