SGN Page 28

Celebrating four years as both business partners and life partners, these two have reasons to celebrate Pride

Celebrating four years as both business partners and life partners, these two have reasons to celebrate Pride
by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid - SGN A&E Writer When you walk into the Square Room gallery and housewares store, youll immediately notice how relaxing and welcoming the place feels. And when you meet the owners, Leif Holland (who has a birthday coming up at the end of July) and Brian McGuffey, you know why the place feels so warm and friendly. These two artists and business owners have worked hard to provide a place where the community can see art as well as buy pieces of art, candles and other modern housewares for the home. I talked to them about how they met, and how they keep a relationship and a business in balance. We met through a mutual friend, who stopped by one day to visit me when I was living in Seward Park, and Brian was a nanny for their children, and then he rented a studio in the neighborhood, said Holland. He went on to say that at the time, he was teaching culinary arts at the Art Institute, and before that he was in the restaurant business for 25 years. Then Brian asked me to come and do art in his studio, which I did, and we both were doing art there, but we outgrew it. Then we were driving by here one day and saw this space, said Holland. They both wanted a space similar to what theyd shared in Seward Park, where they were able to continue doing art and also have a gallery space, and retail space. It started out as a studio, and we were selling our own art, but then we decided we wanted to be able to sell the work of the local designers, as well as our own art in the retail space, said Holland. McGuffey said they were featured in Lucky Magazine, in an issue that focused on Northwest businesses shortly after The Square Room started featuring other designers. Then other designers started contacting us, said McGuffey. He added that the two had a relationship before they decided to go into business together, and that the relationship works because both are able to compromise and not let little things turn into big things between them. Holland is from Seattle and McGuffey from Birmingham, Alabama. I went all the way up the West Coast before I moved to Seattle. Ive been painting for years, and making a living at it, said McGuffey. Holland said that it was quite a leap of faith to leave something hed been doing for 25 years, (working in the restaurant business), to start a business with his partner. I owned Cassis for 25 years, and I got out of that and taught at the Art Institute, and then I started doing this. Starting something new after 25 years was pretty nerve wracking at first, said Holland. Both said that being on Capitol Hill has had its ups and downs, with an unknown malcontent doing graffiti on the windows, when they first displayed the anti-Bush tee-shirts of artist Periel Aschenbrand in their windows earlier. But I think this neighborhood is changing, in a positive way, and the building of the Braeburn and the other place will definitely help. I think the East side of Broadway is the hippest place in town right now, said McGuffey. Talking more about what makes their relationship successful, Holland said he thinks they both compliment each other well. There are things Brian does well, and things Im good at. Hes more the merchandising person and Im thehandy man, the guy who fixes things around here, I guess, said Holland and both laughed in agreement. And the big secret that makes their relationship, both business and personal, work? Let things go and work on compromise, said McGuffey. If you really want to do anything, you can do it, said Holland. So, what about marriage? I personally support legalizing Gay marriage to the fullest extent, but I dont feel I need it right now, said Holland. McGuffey shook his head in agreement. I feel committed enough, said McGuffy. Both said they agreed in the idea that legal rights need to be for everyone, as in the kind that makes it possible for one partner to make decisions for the other partner should the worst happen within their lifetime in the relationship. And yes, theyll be celebrating Pride by hosting a private brunch party for friends in their store before pride, then lining up to watch the parade with others. They are also hosing a fundraiser for the Human Rights Commission on June 23. It will be an auction of me and Leifs art, said Holland. He said they also donate to the Mens Chorus as a way of giving back to the community they love and are a part of. So, stop by The Square Room, see the art of Julia Peerson, and say hi to these great guys during Pride, or after.