Quarles' B&B gallery is an artwork in progress

At their new home and business, artists and murlalists Sharon and Doug Quarles have a new canvas for their creative spirits and a two-story showcase for their work. In October the Quarles opened Gallery 111 Bed & Breakfast in the old Gaudin home at the corner of High and Adams streets. The red sandstone building, with its hardwood floors, decorated wood trim and high ceilings, was one of the city's finest homes at the turn of the century. 'The home is 100 years old," said Sharon Quarles. "It was built in 1907 for a train engineer and his family. It is an artwork in progress restoring and maintaining the house. But we are slowly getting there." The Quarles couple had originally planned to use the building as an art studio after their first studio Gallery 111 on Second Street burned in the June 8 fire that consumed the Sands-Dorsey building. 'After our gallery burned down, we were offered the chance to relocate to this historical site," Sharon Quarles said. The main gallery is in evidence in the living and dining rooms. "We wanted people to feel at home and be in an atmosphere of comfort when they view the art," Quarles said. "Setting up the gallery in the living and dining rooms allows the buyer to see how the art would look in their home." The couple also teach art classes in a former plant nursery that was added on to the main structure some years ago, Sharon Quarles said. They teach classes in acrylic, pastel and graphite art. It wasn't long after the couple got involved with the Gaudin House that they decided to sell their home at Five Mile Park and move into the house. Once they began to convert the home into their new gallery, the Quarles began to brainstorm about how to best take advantage of the extra rooms. With four extra bedrooms that were not being used at the time, a B&B seemed natural, Quarles said. 'It had always been a dream of my mother's and mine to open a small hotel or bed and breakfast," Sharon Quarles said. Investing in restoring the house and converting it into a gallery and bed and breakfast was then a simple decision. United in their home and gallery, the couple have assembled their artworks and accessories into collections. For example, the downstairs room has a Native American/Southwest theme, the south room is characterized by a wildlife theme, the northwest room has a scenic theme and the northeast room honors Route 66, Sharon Quarles said. Since opening their B&B, there have been 30 guests, she said. "The business will help to promote Tucumcari's historical district and tourism,' Sharon Quarles said. "We have always been strong supporters of Tucumcari.'