A generation of Scarsdalians grew up seeing the Madelyn Jordon awning on Popham Road. Those who ventured inside the gallery were treated to a wonderful sight: artworks that would look perfect in one’s home or workspace. Last fall, however, the store disappeared faster than a discount Van Gogh. Its many fans will be relieved to hear the business didn’t fold—it just moseyed a little north, to White Plains.
A smart move
Owner Madelyn Jordon says that even after a year, not everyone knows she relocated. ”I think people still haven't digested the whole thing,” she said. “There was no public story.” One possible reason is that the transition took place during the pandemic. “I bought a home in Florida during that time, so I started to spend extended periods of time there. And by the same token, my longtime gallery staff worked from home and then did not want to resume commuting,” Jordon explained. “It became an issue to continue to run the space in the same way.”
Madelyn's new digs Jordon in front of her new office building.
Nowadays, Jordon and her art can be found at 31 Mamaroneck Road in White Plains. also known as The ArtsWestchester Building. “It's where all the art is shown, and it's the center for the arts in Westchester, and so I always had a connection to this building,” she shared. “At the time I was making a move, I thought, ‘That's the place to be.’”
Aside from the setting, little else has changed. “We have the same artwork and artists, and we are still doing more or less the same business model, but we aren’t on the street. Therefore we can come and go, and it’s also more by appointment now,” Jordon said. (There is usually someone in the office on Fridays and Saturdays, but call in advance to confirm.) In addition, she’s leaning into the Internet: “A lot of our business was done online, and we’ve done business around the world,” she shared. “I am about to launch a new Shopify website so we can do more e-commerce.”
An eye for modern art
Jordon’s collection is centered around modern and contemporary pieces. “I’ve been looking at art for forty years, and you just develop an eye and a knowledge,” she said. “I obviously look for something that attracts my attention, and then hopefully has something interesting and novel about it.” It helps that she has a master’s degree in art and also a degree in museum studies.
Yet her wheelhouse is more than art alone: “I'm also interested in interior design and design in general, so I'm mindful of people and how they live with art,” she said. "[I showcase] art that they're going to want to have in their homes and in their offices. My pieces are hopefully at a good price point as well. I represent up-and-coming artists, and then we do represent more serious, established ones.”
Whether you were a customer during the pre-COVID times or have recenly become interested in the world of art, Jordon would love to see you. A number of her Scarsdale clients followed her to her new digs, she says, “but there are still so many who we hope will make it here soon.”
