MEET OUR TEAM!
JASMINKA GABRIE
THE PROPRIETRESS OF GALERIE GABRIE
Jasminka’s passion for the arts and collecting has evolved throughout her life. A first generation descendant of immigrant parents, she was born in the Midwest and grew up in southern California developing an unusually strong work ethic by excelling in school and working side by side with her parents in real estate management and business development. Any free time was spent participating in local community activities, charitable endeavors, developing her sense of philanthropy as well as her love for music, the arts, food and travel.
By the mid 1980’s, after a successful seven year stint in the culinary arts, owning and operating a fine dining establishment, she seized the opportunity to become a liaison between quality art, artists and the public and shifted her energies to the art world. Her work as an art consultant opened up travel opportunities taking her throughout the world, from Europe to Asia.
Since 1986, her success was defined not only through the procuring of fine art for collectors, but also by developing real estate properties for new gallery locations, overseeing their construction, then managing, marketing and team building. These years were full of growth, exposure, learning and adventure. Being young and female, she was considered somewhat of a novelty and a maverick in the art business quickly gaining the respect of her peers and clients.
Realizing the value of what she had learned, she settled in the Pasadena area and Galerie Gabrie was born in 1995. Her dream, to see the public collect quality original art at a reasonable value in a friendly and elegant environment combining exposure to variety and learning, was realized. Settling in a beautiful building registered on the National Register of Historic Places in the Pasadena Playhouse District, the gallery became home and a stepping stone to a multitude of artists.
​
​
From its inception, Galerie Gabrie has successfully presented the public with over 125 exhibitions, both local and national, a wide range of services, lectures and is active in the community while simultaneously maintaining its international ties.
​
After 27 successful years in old town Pasadena, the gallery is moving into an exciting new chapter. Having faithfully served clients for many years on Green Street, the business is moving and evolving with a broader representation of the caliber of art Jasminka supports. With art, food, travel and design as her driving pillars, there are exciting things ahead for her and all friends of Galerie Gabrie.
Her life is a mosaic and the palette of her artistic expression has been realized through successful business. She would be best described as a vivacious and energetic woman, quietly matured by her experiences, sustaining a keen sense of serving others and combining the nourishment of the senses while preserving a strong spiritual balance.
​
​
JAMES GABRIE - JIMMY: ​
​
A passionate lover of all things beautiful, Jimmy began creating art at a very young age. He overcame his challenge with dyslexia by excelling in works created by his own hands which took the form of sculptures, drawings and paintings. This later evolved into a successful career as a dental technician sculpting exceptional life-like crowns and creating smiles for patients for almost 40 years in his private lab.
​
Bitten by the collector’s bug, his interest in horology launched a serious collecting habit featuring unique pieces made in marble, wood, metal, and porcelain and spanning both American and European styles. Later, the collection would expand to include objects d’art, decorative arts, furniture, sterling, art glass, vases, china, and utilitarian pieces.
After he met Jasminka and purposely decided not to sell her his fabulous sterling silverware set, she knew she had to marry him! Their combined collection has come to include paintings, drawings, photos, icons, linens, textiles and items they have gathered from their extensive worldwide travels.
​
He enjoys collecting plants, specifically cycads which are dioecious and prehistoric in nature. His garden is magical and features rare specimens and examples of this unique family of plants.
Nurturing his hobby and interest in art, Jimmy has acquired an impressive and extensive overall knowledge of the arts rivaling anyone who has made a career in the industry. His keen eye for beauty and quality have enable Galerie Gabrie to expand their offerings with unique pieces – each with a story and importance of its own. His contribution to the gallery team is immeasurable and has enabled the gallery collection to evolve into a serious one!
​
MADELEINE MEYER: ​
Gallery Assistant
​
Madeleine is a recent graduate of USC, where she studied music performance and music business. Music is what takes up most of her time when she’s not working at Galerie Gabrie. Madeleine grew up in Santa Barbara, and moved to Los Angeles for school 5 years ago. She is a singer and songwriter whose music is centered around friendship, growth, and mental health. Her most recent release is titled “SNAP” and can be found on all streaming services. Although her main art form is different, she has always had a deep love and appreciation for visual art. Madeleine joined our team in June of 2020, and has been a great addition to Galerie Gabrie.
​