By John Gifford
Publisher and Editor
When Doris Barringer-Senni travels to Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal in January and to Tanzania later in the year, she will, as usual, be shopping for herself and for her friends — those she already knows, and some she has yet to meet.
She and her husband, Mohammad Senni, will be picking up numerous items on the trip, such as ceremonial masks, drums, fabrics, and furniture for sale by their business, African Collections Gallery.
This particular business began in February of this year. However, Doris has been shopping in Africa and making these items available to customers stateside for the past 17 years.
In 1991, Doris and her mother traveled to Africa for a massive shopping trip for themselves. When their friends saw the items in Doris’ home, they wanted to buy them. From that point on, Doris as
followed the same plan — shop for what she likes and others will want to buy these items. She may like a particular mask; she’ll buy one for herself and a couple of others to make available for sale.
Doris views her relationship with customers as special. When they come by her home — where the items are displayed in a Gallery — she provides more than items to buy; she shares her experience about each of the items: where she bought it, the story that goes with it, and a vicarious feeling by the customer of having made the trip to Africa with her.
Doris likes conversation, feels that she educates as she sells her artifacts, and will usually serve up her conversation with a cup of African tea. It is a personalized experience.
Doris and Mohammad believe that they have an authenticity that you seldom get in purchasing worldwide items. They know the history of the masks, what tribe uses which drums, and are able to share their enthusiasm and love of the African heritage. In fact, five of their customers became so enthused that they have made trips to Africa themselves. Any travel agent reading this article should contact Doris, because she would like to collaborate with them in setting up an African niche travel service (including her husband Mohammad as tour guide).
So far, African Collections Gallery had been mainly marketed by word-of-mouth, handing out business cards, and participating in area Art Fairs, such as in Zionsville or Brownsburg. Doris has added some unique services. They will stage a house for you to give it that special look which will clinch the sale and the purchaser can opt to buy the decorative items along with the house.
They have also rented some of their pieces to an International Festival in Bloomington that wanted an African representation. In addition, Doris can serve as an Interior Decorator to provide an African motif in your home through furniture and decorative pieces.
If you are looking for unique African items and would like to share a cup of tea while hearing some of Doris’ stories, call Doris at (317) 591-1137 to set up an appointment. Also ask her about the Adinkra symbols that had made up especially in the Ashanti region of Ghana.
African Collections Gallery
Doris Barringer-Senni
Mohammad Senni
3801 E. 36th St.
(317) 591-1137
barring38@aol.com
