Local artists Julie and Mark Delfs to open gallery at “Artisan Village”

Press Release
Contact: Mark & Julie Delfs
Email: [email protected]
August 3, 2018 11:00 a.m.

Local Artistic Couple Declare, “It Takes a Village”
2188 Sadler Road to become ‘Artisan Village,’ a full-time art gallery, artist space for rent and art classes for all ages.

The former Rowesville Cottages location at 2188 Sadler Road (next to Amelia’s Attic  to become a new local art gallery, artist studio space for rent and flexible space which can accommodate various art classes for all ages. The former location once housed various hair stylists, a furniture and antique shop and was also a high-end art gallery. The location has been vacant since 2017 and went through some restoration by the current owner. The property was listed for lease in July of 2018 when the local husband and wife artistic team of Julie and Mark Delfs noticed the location.


Julie and Mark Delfs are both local artists who have dreamed of opening an art studio to showcase not only their work, but, to showcase other local artistic talent. Julie is well-known throughout the island for her use of resin-epoxy and acrylic mixtures to create ocean-inspired artwork including her popular jellyfish series. She also teaches beginner classes in resin-epoxy pouring 3 times a week. Mark is not only a painter, but, a cartoonist whose work has been published in the Fernandina Observer and Fernandina Beach News-Leader. He currently works full-time as a graphic designer and director of marketing for Artisan Village. The couple can often be found at the weekly Fernandina Beach Farmer’s Market showcasing both of their artwork.

“I would ride my bike by this location on Sadler Road every day for months and I was always attracted to it,” says Mark. “I knew it was vacant and I kind of forgot about it until a few months later when I saw the renovation crew at the location and I figured someone bought it and were about to transform it into something retail-oriented. A little while after that, I saw the for lease sign out front and I told my wife about it on a whim.”

Julie says: “I had been looking for a larger space to work on my resin-epoxy artwork and be able to teach more classes and I decided to look at this place for fun after looking for space all around the island. The more I looked at it, the more I could really see this as a possible space not only for myself, but, for other local artists looking for studio rental space. We then decided to put a lease offer on all 3 buildings.”

The couple signed a lease on the property in July of 2018 and are rebranding the property “Artisan Village,” which is based on the small village-feel of the cottages in the space and currently the only art gallery and studio space on Sadler Road. Artisan Village will feature only the work of local artists. The couple have already signed on a few local artists to take up residence in the space and will be seeking more to fill the remaining spaces, including a large space for outdoor artists and sculpture.

Artisan Village will also feature a monthly local-only juried art show which is open to the public. The location will also host other events including monthly musical “open jam” sessions, special art events and participate in the monthly Artrageous Art Walk of Fernandina Beach.

The grand opening of Artisan Village is slated for September 1st and will have a special ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Johnny Miller. The public is invited to learn more about Artisan Village by visiting the website at http://www.artisanvillageamelia.com, or, by contacting the gallery at 904.491.2180. Operating hours are Tuesday-Friday (10am-6pm), Saturday (11am-5pm), Sunday (12PM-4PM), and closed Mondays. The address is 2188 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach.