Nature Gallery has minerals, fossils & amber from around the world, displayed as natural works of art. Norma Tager established the gallery in San Luis Obispo California in 1987 when her private collection grew beyond what she could display in her house. Her passion for "nature as art" was contagious and before long her daughter, Carol Garsten joined her as a full time partner at Nature Gallery. "Neither Norma nor I had ever owned a store, neither of us a degree in geology, gemology or paleontology. What we did have was a passion for crystals and stones," says Garsten. "Through Nature Gallery we have had the exceptionally good fortune to make a living while sharing our passion with the public.

The Move

In 1994 Nature Gallery moved from San Luis to Town & Country Village in Palo Alto, California. "It was a natural progression to move from the small college town of Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) to a big time college town, Stanford. "Moving to Palo Alto was the best decision that we could have made," says Garsten. Palo Alto offered a more sophisticated clientele that enabled us to expand the gallery's collection to include its' scope to include a wider selection of fine art and museum quality fossils.

Morro Bay
When we closed our San Luis Obispo location in 1994 we just couldn't say "goodbye" to the beutiful central coast. Nature Gallery is pleased to have a representative selection of jewelry, minerals and sculpture as a department in the beautiful Visions Gallery at 900 Embarcadero Road in Morro Bay, California.

Bill DeCarolis

Fine Art & Gifts

For information regarding Visions Gallery phone: (805)772-5083.
or check visit the Visions Gallery Website

Legacy

1996 was a challenging year for me", remarks Garsten; "My mom, my best friend and partner died and my father had triple bypass heart surgery. As difficult as it was to carry on the business without Norma, I knew that I had to give the business a go…to continue the legacy that Norma had left me. I planned an amazing event-packed 10^th Anniversary year for 1997 and it paid off.

Special Events

The Gallery hosts five to seven special events per year. 1999's special vents include, "Coils & Angles," "Healing Visions, Animal Spirit Painting with inlaid Gemstones", "Colors of the World", "Beijing '99," "Amber * Amber * Amber, "and "Vessels In Alabaster". An artist's reception at the gallery is an excellent opportunity to get to know our talented artists, view an outstanding selection of their latest creations and purchase them at special prices. *1999 Special Events Calendar*

Photographer

Prior to Nature Gallery, Carol was a film-maker in Los Angeles. She graduated from USC Film School in Los Angeles in 1984. She worked in Los Angeles for five years in varied positions and frequently colaborated with Norma who was a writer. In 1998 Carol opened "Natural Balance" an exhibit of her color photography. "I've been a professional photographer for 20 years" says Garsten "but this was my first show. It's something I'd always wanted to do. How it happened is an amazing story (Palo Alto Weekly). Carol's next show, "Beijing '99" opens in November of this year.

Community Outreach

It gives me such a charge to see those little eight year old kids eyes light up when I show them the Meteorites, Amber and Dinosaur bones." remarks Carol. "I go to local elementary schools and present a selection of Minerals, Amber and Fossils. A favorite clients and friend, who teaches locally even talked me into having her third grade class visit the gallery for a field trip. Every time I think about what one of her students said to me it puts a smile on my face. "Wow!" he said "this is like a dream…it's like a dream…You get to work here…all the time…Wow!" "I have always wanted to be a teacher," say Carol" and Nature Gallery has afforded me the opportunity to fulfill this dream."

Gifts

At Nature Gallery I personally select every item that is on display in the gallery showroom or shown on this site which takes a lot of time and energy but is well worth it. The exhibit is constantly changing," remarks Garsten "and that's what keeps my interest. Initially it was hard for me to sell some of my favorite pieces; but I have realized over the years that when my favorite items find new homes that new wonderful gifts from nature will come my way".

Museum

Many people come in to Nature Gallery and say it's like a museum. The gallery contains amazing natural works of art in minerals, fossils and amber from around the world, with items for kids who are starting a collection to museum quality specimens for the more advanced collector. "I encourage people to visit the gallery or this site, whether they are looking to buy something or to enrich their day by enjoying some of nature's wondrous beauty.

The Future

This new website is an important part of Nature Gallery's future and it's been a joy in the creation. As it grows and expands it will serve as a resource for people all over the world. As part of Nature Gallery's growth we are currently seeking new opportunities to market through consignment counters in existing art galleries or in other suitable locations and to expand our marketing potential though corporate sales opportunities. Please contact us if you have contacts or resources in this regard.

Carol A. Garsten