Thursday, December 17, 2020

INTERVIEW: Morgan on Frame Worthy Gallery

THIS art gallery is different and it's special...you may have seen its artists at the movies or on television!

Frame Worthy Gallery represents two-dimensional artwork made by multifaceted film and television industry artists who have talent that extends beyond the big screen. They are painters, photographers, sketch, and multimedia artists who are also actors, screenwriters, directors, and producers, working primarily in the Southeast

Morgan Wellens, Founder & CEO, Frame Worthy Gallery
Morgan Wellens, Founder & CEO, Frame Worthy Gallery

Featured artists have worked on and behind the scenes of projects such as The Resident, Doom Patrol, The Gifted, and more.

Up and coming actor herself, Founder and CEO Morgan Wellens granted me an interview to talk about the new art gallery...

wanderlust ATLANTA: Where are you from? What’s something Atlanta should know about you? 

Morgan: Long story short, my great grandparents on my Dad’s side traveled in through Ellis Island from Lithuania, I was almost a “Wellinski”! On my Mom’s side, I’m related to five U.S. presidents, one of whom was responsible for the largest bathtub in the White House. For me, I was born and raised in Georgia. Most people are surprised to hear I’m a native Peach. I have seen how the art scene has grown over the years, and continues to evolve. I hope to make a positive contribution to that. 

Morgan Wellens (right) with Anissa Matlock
Morgan Wellens (right) with Anissa Matlock

wanderlust ATLANTA: What was the catalyst that led you to becoming an Actor? Entrepreneur?

MorganI am really big on my bucket list, and in 2017 I decided to check off being an extra on a movie set. It was a downtown, overnight shoot. I remember watching the sunrise from a hotel balcony, unsure if I would make it to my 9-5 on time, and thinking, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Being an entrepreneur is in my blood though. My grandparents used to have a thriving costume jewelry business back when clip on earrings were all the rage. Growing up, I saw my parents follow their footsteps, I learned to walk in the isles of Scott Antique Markets.

We lived the entrepreneur lifestyle, which doesn’t always look glamorous. Not everyone can feel secure in uncertainty, but seeing them thrive gave me the confidence to leave my 9-5 to pursue acting, and, now, open a gallery. 

Morgan Wellens with Kai Grebe
Morgan Wellens with Kai Grebe

wanderlust ATLANTA: Michelangelo said, "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it." With what philosophy do you approach your art?

MorganYou know, they say “10 years is the overnight success”. It’s not exciting or sexy, but it’s probably the quote I live by the most. Hard work, perseverance, and consistency matter. Half the battle of being an artist is working at your craft every day, because breakthroughs come with time and repetition. I try not to attach the “success barometer” to my work. I’m an artist because I create. If success comes, I’ll be over the moon, but more than that, I love what I do which keeps me in the game through the rough times and rejection. 

Morgan Wellens with Alex Ross
Morgan Wellens with Alex Ross

wanderlust ATLANTA: When you have time to play tourist, where/what are some of the destinations in Atlanta that you most enjoy?

MorganI have to be honest, I’m a sucker for Ponce City Market. I love walking the Beltline and being around all that energy.

I also enjoy visiting the Forward Warrior wall in Cabbagetown. For those who don’t know, it’s a long stretch of the most beautiful murals you’ve seen. Afterward, I might pop over to Little’s for some sliders. 

Artwork by Eleonore Dendy
Artwork by Eleonore Dendy

wanderlust ATLANTA: Why do you feel it's important for budding artists to not give up, to press forward with a career as an artist if they're truly passionate about it?

Morgan: The grind as an artist is HARD. But honestly, most every career path in life is hard! Would you tell a doctor to go to school for less than 8 years because it’s a “waste of time”? Why then, as artists, isn’t it normalized for us to put in the same kind of dedication to our craft. We need artists. They change the way that we see the world. They expand our minds and open our hearts.

Artists can show us a vision for the future when we can’t see it for ourselves. We saw a black president on the big screen long before Obama ran for office. Right now, it feels like possibility is at our fingertips and people are ready for change. We are craving and lifting up stories and visual work from new voices and underrepresented audiences. Make sure your voice can be heard.


Morgan Wellens | Artwork by Aaron Simmons
Morgan Wellens | Artwork by Aaron Simmons

Frame Worthy Gallery launched its online marketplace last month, so head over there and do some holiday shopping and be sure to follow them on social media (Instagram/Facebook) so you can regularly see what's new! They will also have pop-up locations throughout Atlanta and a primary in-house presence at RoleCall Theater at Ponce City Market. The featured artwork ranges from modern to abstract, whimsical, and thought-provoking. There's practically something for everyone!

Morgan said, "The grind is real when you make the decision to become an artist for a living. Working restaurant jobs, gigs, driving services, you name it. If you are an artist, there's a good chance you're hustling. My goal is to help our team follow their dreams within the industry by taking over the 'left-brain' work so they can focus on the creative stuff.”

(Photos courtesy of Frame Worthy Gallery)

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