Arts Galleries

Firefly Craft Gallery Closes Its Doors

For seven years Firefly Craft Gallery, in Flat Rock, offered a fun and unique shopping experience for everything from handmade art and crafts to jewelry, scarves and children’s books. Now the gallery, which represented more than 50 local and regional artists, has closed its doors.

“I had the best artists and customers, without whom I would not have had the best seven years creatively ever,” says Firefly Craft Gallery owner Karen Kennedy. “Many of these artists have become the best of friends and there are so many customers who have become friends as well.”

Kennedy made the decision to close the gallery after surgery for a non-cancerous brain tumor last September that required months of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Though she expects a full recovery, the experience left her in need of time to focus on healing, traveling and spending time with loved ones.

“This is the second time I’ve retired in my life due to health setbacks,” she says. “I did it before I opened Firefly and I’ll do it again as I find something creative to do in the future. But right now, visiting my grandchildren in Florida sounds pretty good.”

Though the gallery is closed, its effect on the community lives on through the relationships built and the enthusiasm fostered by Kennedy and the artists she represented.
“Karen Kennedy always managed to prioritize both the artists and the customers,” says woodcarver Mark Henneberry. “Firefly brought unique art and art lovers to the Flat Rock community, and it will be missed.”

Visit the websites of individual artists who were represented by Firefly Craft Gallery to find other regional galleries where their work will be displayed.

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