Suzanne M. Camarata
Gallery Owner | Artist

My passion is people, especially relationship building. Before I opened The Gallery at Flat Rock in 2015, I worked as a freelance photographer for 11 years in Boston. The work assignments gave me a glimpse into people’s lives, albeit brief but impactful. I learned the importance of listening to and honoring everyone I meet.

I was born in South Korea, and raised in Japan before coming to the U.S. at 15 years old. I studied Political Science in college and then through a circuitous route discovered my love for photography. I worked as an assistant for several photography studios and then stepped out on my own as a freelance photographer. It was a journey that allowed for many unique opportunities. 

Upon moving to Western North Carolina, my intent was to transition into pet photography. I met Brown Dog by happenstance while on a road trip—she was my impetus to move from a big city to a small town and in my search for a photography studio I discovered the building that now houses the gallery. (Read Suzanne and Brown Dog’s story here)

Interestingly, the building is one of the remaining structures of the historic Flat Rock High School; before the school closed in 1967, what is now the gallery space served as the school cafeteria. I have learned that some previous tenants were gallery owners, and of all things, that George Winston had once held a concert in the space. Art is embedded in the atmosphere of this place! It wasn’t long after I established my photography studio that I began to transition it to a fine art gallery. I am proud to say we currently represent over 60 artists working in all mediums.   

The Gallery at Flat Rock is here to serve the community—by providing a venue to stage compelling exhibits, host cultural events, and enrich lives through bringing artists and collectors together. Drop in to say hello, share a story, or to pet Brown Dog, who works as the gallery’s official mascot (Believe me, we know where we two-legged stand on the totem pole).

Meighan Ash
Gallery Associate

Meighan is a creative who is inspired by design, order, and color. She’s a natural at designing spaces. At her home, she enjoys skillfully combining the “old” with the “new” with a keen eye for textures and elements. Like any master, Meighan immediately recognizes what would work and what won’t work when designing a space…she just has fun with it. She’s able to do the same thing here in the gallery.  

In her twenty-one years as a teacher, Meighan cherished the relationships with her students. Now, at the gallery, she truly enjoys forming relationships with gallery patrons and helping them find art that fits their space well. Meighan has an incredible warmth and an easy ability to relate to anyone. We’ve had people say that when entering the gallery it feels like they’re being welcomed into her personal home—a warm, fun, beautiful, and interesting space.

Wendy McEntire
Gallery Associate

Wendy joins the gallery with a deep appreciation of makers, their vision, and the delight of people when they connect with them.  Her background in social work brings intuition and curiosity in listening to customers and helping them discover art pieces that bring them meaning and beauty.

Wendy enjoys everyday wonders and anything related to kindness.