Rheas Bakery 1981

Robert Qualters invites us into Rhea's Bakery with his layered and lively composition. It's a rendering of a bakery and coffee shop as a social space, a place where people seek solace and community. Qualters captures the intimate, everyday moments that shape our collective experiences. You can almost hear the chatter of customers ordering coffee and "one of them crawlers." The work reflects the artist's appreciation for the city's local businesses. He once said, "Each neighborhood is a small town, with its own candy store, its own newspaper." Here, Qualters seems to suggest that gathering places like Rhea's play an important role in creating a sense of belonging. The artist's whimsical style elevates the ordinary, reminding us to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. The narratives surrounding this city bakery become a mirror reflecting the needs and values of its community.