Gallery Marjuli: A mother-daughter story

Like a migratory bird, a young single mother of three flew into town, not knowing much about Ocean Shores, but ready for something different. 

That was 33 years ago, and, when she nested here, Marge McBride sure found something different . . . Ocean Shores took her family off the beaten path, and she in turn helped pave the foundation for what is now a bustling little art scene.

Marge McBride was living in the Portland area with her daughter, Julie, and sons Parker and Martin, when, as the humble, graceful woman tells it:

“I was at the Oregon State Fair, and Ocean Shores had a booth there. You signed up for a  weekend in Ocean shores. So I did. Then they send you a thing saying you have a free weekend. I came up for that, and they took you around in a Jeep. I said to the gentleman driving the car, ‘This would be great place to live, but what would I do here?’ He said, ‘Well, what kind of work have you done? I said receptionist. 

“He said, ‘We need a receptionist!’

“So I took a chance . . . My father thought I was crazy.”

Crazy or not, she packed up the kids and left the big city. Soon thereafter, Marge was working as the Wendell West real estate development company’s receptionist, in an office looking out at the ocean. Her kids would eventually work at the now-legendary Ocean Shores Inn, and between them they met (or, at least, saw) Lucille Ball, Clint Eastwood, Joe Namath and other celebrities, lured to town by the inn or the big golf tournament.

It was a good life, in this then-tiny town, where more than three-quarters of the city was completely undeveloped, and roads barely reached past “downtown.”

Then Marge got involved with Associated Arts and the association’s annual art show, and a vision started to grow . . .

“I had a thought in my head when I moved here in 1966 that we could be ‘Carmel north’ . . .” The idea of starting a gallery percolated in her mind for a while, and finally she took her plan to the board of Associated Arts.

“They finally decided they didn’t want to do it, they thought it was too much work. I went around in a huff for three days, and then decided to open my own place.”

Julie studied art Washington State University, so mother and daughter joined forces: literally, as “Gallery Marjuli” combines their two names. They rented space at 865 Point Brown Ave., just inside the city limits, then drove up to Seattle in Julie’s van, and picked up pieces from artists they had met at the festivals.

That was 1983. Twenty-six years later, Gallery Marjuli is in the exact same spot, though it has more than tripled its size.

Marge and Julie (her married name is Bitar) met at the gallery, last week. Neither has been around much, lately. The sun tanned Julie just returned from a trip to Greece. And Marge has had some health troubles, lately.

One can see the concern on Julie’s face as the daughter gazes at her mother, who calls herself one of the “old timers. There’s just a few of us left.”

Family members going into business together is often a recipe for disaster; not here.

“It’s been wonderful working with Mom all these years,” says Julie. “I’ve been blessed. We’ve had so many memories.”

She looks to her mother, and adds, “You were my age, when we started this.”

Fortunately, the two almost always agree, on matters of art. Case in point: John Ebner, one of their very first artists; his newer work is currently on display.

Marge McBride sighs with pleasure, when she thinks of the time gone by. “We’ve enjoyed our time here so much.”

“And in 26 years,” adds Julie, “we’ve had so many loyal customers.”

Gallery Marjuli. 865 Point Brown Ave. NW;: 360-289-2858