Press Releases

This year's Open House at the Decoys & Wildlife Gallery features guest artists, live birds of prey, and fundraiser for the Mercer County Wildlife Center. It is a chance to browse the museum-quality work by great, world-renown artists as well as the best regional names.
Owner Ron Kobli runs a well-oiled gallery for nurtured customers. He sells original paintings, carvings, and offers a framing service.
As a dedicated hunter with a fascination for decoys, Kobli bought and sold functional "old" decoys until one day 30 years ago he opened a gallery. Decoys are the only craft native to this country, he says. Over the past decade he's seen a change in buying power and has adjusted his store's operations. "Eight years ago the average buyer was between 40 and 60. Now the buyer is 25 to 45," he explains. Also, prints are out ­ down from 40% of the business to 5.
Kobli woos his customers. By the time a potential buyer has come back a few times, Ron has spent hours with her discussing art. "These younger people are more sophisticated. They want an original and to know that their money is better spent." In most cases they set a benchmark around $1,500, he says, and within the next year they'll buy a few more paintings. When a painting comes in for $3,000, they'll look at it, like it, and maybe take it. Now the benchmark has been moved. Then, when they buy a new house, they'll buy paintings for $10,000 to $30,000 or more.
"It's a process you have to go through," he adds. "They've taken paintings and now they've gotten an education and learn to appreciate certain things. As long as you can supply those needs you'll have good customers."
Kobli extends his gallery to a local raptor rehab center every year, during the February Open House. He donates a few paintings, and they sell raffle tickets. At the end of the day, Kobli also matches their sales. In return, they bring in live birds of prey for an educational program with invitations extended to local kids and schools.
So what makes him so successful in the little town of Frenchtown, population 1,500? "There's not another store in the country like this. There's no gallery with the numbers and quality of painters and carvers here. I'm in the luxury business. There's nothing that I sell that you need. You want! And don't forget the service!
908-996-6501, website.

The never-before-researched subject of schoolgirl needlework found in Hunterdon County, New Jersey is the subject of a new book due out in June by researchers and collectors Dan & Marty Campanelli of Quakertown, NJ. The book will be published in June by Hunterdon County Historical Society, through the courtesy of a grant from the Edward Thatcher Astle Memorial Scholarship Foundation.  
A Sampling of Hunterdon County Needlework: the motifs, the makers & their stories will have 132 pages and feature 73 full-color examples of the impressive samplers made by young ladies in Hunterdon from 1798 through the 1840s. The samplers, found all over the county including the lower portion that was separated in 1838 to help form Mercer County, will appeal not only to needlework enthusiasts, but also to local history buffs and descendants of Hunterdon’s early settlers. It also is expected to prompt the discovery of additional Hunterdon samplers.  
When released, the soft-cover book will retail for $25 per copy, with all proceeds benefiting the Hunterdon County Historical Society.  A one-day book signing and small exhibition of some samplers in the book will be held at the Society’s Hiram E. Deats Memorial Library, 114 Main Street in Flemington, NJ sometime in June. Watch the website at www.hunterdonhistory.org  for the exact date and time, or call 908-782-1091 for details.