I discovered THE VILLAGER a few years ago, shortly after relocating to Auburn, Alabama from Colorado. If you've ever moved to a new area, you might understand the feeling that can seem like little pieces of you are missing in the new landscape. For me it was the height of mountains and crystal clear streams, colors captured in waterfalls & rocks, animated forests & forms and the seeming magic of changing seasons and skies... Pablo Picasso once said that Painting is just another way of keeping a diary. One day (and many thereafter) I walked through the door of THE VILLAGER and found breathing room, or, as some might 
call it, 'a breath of fresh air'... I slowly turn the pages of surroundings and impressions that tend to trigger a soulful resonance, listening to everyday words in forms of paint & glass, wood & fired clay, color, light, textures, paper, metals, inspired designs that have been drawn from inner stillness, offerings of gratitude and grace. From the classical and fantastic to the whimsical and heavenly... displayed are studies in simplicity, recycled rhythms, pieces of prose and pewter, lyrical ladles and other poetic utensils, gardens of grace, gorgeous gems and jewels that each seem to be an ode to joy... there is even a wall of cats...you just have to be curious!
THE VILLAGER had its beginnings as a do-it-yourself frame shop in 1971, growing into a custom frame shop and distinguished art gallery, today featuring artists from across the States and Canada.
Purchased in January of 2001 by Frank and Ingrid Brown from Frank's mom, The Villager continues the family tradition of fine craftsmanship and exquisite custom framing design on which the business was founded.*
Frank and Ingrid, both Auburn University (AL) graduates, were marketing majors and attended Auburn at the same time, but they did not meet each other until 12 years later while both were working in Atlanta. After a chance meeting [was this Art imitating Life?] in a frame shop in Roswell, GA, Frank and Ingrid brought their personal and professional lives together in Auburn.*
The Villager began its 36th year in 2007. Frank and Ingrid claim that "the Villager is 36 years young," describing the challenges and knowledge gained each day the gallery is open. Together Frank and Ingrid have transformed The Villager into a gallery and custom frame shop that is a destination for shoppers who enjoy art and the talent of artisans.*
On Glenn Avenue, You'll notice the unique sign for THE VILLAGER, which was a custom creation by Massachusettes artist, Dale Rogers. This same artist created the dog of sculptured metal, who stands guard over the front entrance gardens, garnished with ceramic mushrooms by an artist from Utah.
Please...Step Inside...
*excerpts from press releases and other published information, reprinted with kind permission from Jessie King, Marketing Manager for THE VILLAGER. She can be reached by email or phone (334.821.8174)
THE VILLAGER's new website is about to launch. You can visit their website HERE.
© Copyright 2009 - Except where noted, this posting is the property of Mara Hawks, All Rights Reserved.
Active in Alabama, Mara Hawks, REALTOR with FIRST REALTY of Auburn, AL, #1 Real Estate Team in Lee County, THE LEADER in professional real estate services in Auburn, Opelika & Lee County for over 3 decades! Committed to INTEGRITY, KNOWLEDGE & SERVICE.
CLICK ON CART TO SHOP FOR HOMES IN AUBURN-OPELIKA, ALABAMA 
Disclaimer: All information provided by this author is is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, which may or may not be deemed reliable at the time of researching this article and may be time sensitive.
Mara, this would be a favorite of mine if we lived closer. I could spend hours in a store like this. Thanks for sharing it. xxoo
I love this!
You did a great job of portraying the wonder, beauty and magic The Villager holds.
I look forward to visiting The Villager again, the next time I'm in Auburn!
Hi Mara, What a wonderful store. There are so many things to see, I can understand why this would be one of your favorites. I love the way you describe this artistic, whimsical, wondrous spot in Auburn!
Mara, You are such a wonderful writer and this is such a compelling post. I would love to visit this place!
Mara, I agree with Susan! I could spend hours in a shop like that and never get tired. :)
Mara - What an excellent job featuring this local business! The Villager sounds like it has it all going on for themselves.
Mara, I was so excited to read this outstanding write up of The Villager!
The artist of the Villager sign and the dog is Dale Rogers. I met Dale at the ACC craft show in Baltimore. Dale sent me a thank you letter and one of his "dogs" on a key chain after I wrote this post.
Such Beauty..... Winter Craft Show in Baltimore
Susan - I'll take you here if you ever visit Auburn. I'm always surprised at how long I can spend in this store...they have new things in all the time, and it's really like a hands-on art gallery.
Rebecca - You'll be in Auburn soon, so we will go! xox
Mary - Thank you for your kind words, and for virtually visiting one of my favorite places here!
Connie - yes, it's shops like these that seem like the windowboxes and inviting doorways for a small town. Come visit sometime!
Bill - I've occasionally found some perfect client gifts here, too! They always do complimentary giftwrap---which makes it like 2 gifts in 1!
Margaret - I remember reading this post (and commenting), and until you just pointed it out, I never made the connection with the Dale Rogers dog! It looks very different to me in its garden setting here as opposed to your indoor one. Thank you for the MATCH :-) and the link back to re-read your post of last February. That's very cool! Having art places like this in town are sustaining for the soul...occasionally, on a day that seems to be crushing my spirit, I'll walk into The Villager and remember who I am and that the world is a really big and beautiful place to be. Glad we got the dogs out today!
Mara, This is the kind of place I would absolutely love. i love finding things that are so unique, you won't see them anywhere else. This place would probably be dangerous for me... :)
Mara
The Villager sounds like my kind of place; there is a place called the Hamlet in Hartland that is similar to the villager. Just a great place to enjoy.
Mara, you did an awesome job "painting" a picture of the Villager. It looks like a fun place to visit.
Hi Carole - yes, the energy is like a perfectly paced reel of a river, creativity flowing, abundant reflections of delight & joy, lyrical rivulets along the walls and shelves and garden path, a dreamy stream that transports you to your heart's content ;-)
Tom - I especially love visitors from the midwest, my original stomping grounds :-) I'm so glad you stopped by to visit this place. I'd love to visit Hamlet, too!
Jen - Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by here. In smaller towns, places like this are truly such treasures, and I love supporting businesses like this, that extend such delight into the heart of a community :-)
Hi Mara !!!'
LOVE this place and I love the way you presented this post :o)
You're right, these stores are so unique to the community, and bring such character to a walk down main street.
I enjoyed learning about the Villager !
Cheers !
Sheldon :o)
Mara, I sent Dale Rogers a link to your post. He was very kind in responding to mine.
Mara, my Mom's friends sold their house in IL and moved to Auburn. Both husband and wife went to Auburn for college and now will live their retirement years there.
Mara,
I bet I could shop there all day! What beautiful shops, a girls dream and my husbands nightmare! LOL!!
I love the dog with the cut out of the bone!
Judy
Hi Mara...neat Stuff in the Store, glad it there and not here or my wife would be there all the time...just Kidding, thanks for sharing this Store and it's products :O)
Hi Tony - (where was my referral phone call? :-) We do get a good percentage of retirees here, and it's a great town for that...affordable, spirited, growing, good access to medical & educational resources. Be sure to drop by & see me if you or your mom come to visit. Cheers!
Hi Judy - LOL! You would love the jewelry design here...you can linger for a long time, studying the variety and taking in the exquisite designs...the best part of all is that it is affordable art!
Hi Fred - I'll be happy to be your personal shopper anytime if you need a really special gift for your wife :-) No one I know has ever been disappointed with a gift from The Villager!
Hi Mara, what a fantastic place and an excellent Localism post. I have been so busy that I've neglected posting abut my favorite places in Austin lately so I better remedy that soon!
Hi Mara! What a wonderful place this would be to while away the day! I love shops like this!
Debi
Mara great presentation, now I feel like visiting. There seems to be so much there to keep you engaged.
Oh I love this! Near Zion (Springdale, UT) they have a bunch of quaint shops like this and this reminds me of that area :)
Mara, your description is quite lovely. Sounds like I would love this shop too, thanks for the virtual shopping experience today!
That's my type of store. Even if I don't buy anything, I love walking around in them visualizing me owning that store.
I loved these photos. its so amazing to feel that I was there as it has placed these images in my mind.
I keep coming back to the kissing bubbles and photos of Lyric.
This looks like my absolute favorite type of store!
I wish I was closer, it sounds like a wonderful shop. You did such a wonderful job of showing it to the world.
Frankie,
Good to see you are keeping the family business going. My eldest daughter came to Auburn recently to interview at the engineering college- I think she will stay in Texas, though. Say hello to Mum Gwenyth.
Heather Millar
Director of Education
Armand Bayou NAture Center
Houston, Texas