The Munson Gallery and how I got my official start!

The iconic Munson Gallery in it's old location

November always makes me think of being grateful. People ask me how I got started in this crazy and unpredictable career as a painter. That's when lightbulb went off: Do a blog post on gratitude for Sally Munson and The Munson Gallery

I started painting professionally in the fall of 2005 when I got my first studio in the basement of ArtSpace, Maynard. I painted as much as I could while raising my two young daughters. I entered some shows, I was in a group landscape show at ArtSpace Maynard and had a solo show at our local library. I had some good feedback and some sales. At that point I entered a painting, "Grace" (see photo below), in the Creative Arts Center Annual All Cape Juried Art Show in Chatham, Cape Cod. I won a FIRST PRIZE! It was really exciting. 

Cape Cod Creative Arts Center All Cape Juried Art Show first prize painting, "Grace"

Flash forward a week or two to an art opening at a local gallery, The Munson Gallery, which when I was growing up in Chatham, was THE gallery, with a serious history through generations. It was on way into town and stood out with it's bright yellow barn doors.

I was talking with a member of the staff at the opening and mentioned that I had just won this award around the corner. She took my business card and that's where I figured it would end. Then about a week later, I got a call from The Munson Gallery asking if I would show them my work. I met with Sally Munson, the owner, while she reviewed my work for maybe two hours. I was so nervous! At the end of our meeting, she told me she wanted to take them all and give me a shot! I was ESTACTIC!! I mean, this was THE MUNSON GALLERY!! What a break!

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History of Munson Gallery: (from their website)

The Munson Gallery, established in 1860 in New Haven, Connecticut, is one of America's oldest art galleries. A branch of the gallery has existed in Chatham, Massachusetts since 1955. Two decades ago, Larom Munson, grandson of the founder, moved the gallery west to historic Canyon Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the second-largest art market in America.

We are proud to represent some of America's finest artists. Years of experience observing, considering, and contemplating contemporary art have refined our vision and defined our taste, resulting in the works exhibited in the gallery. Selection of artists is based on the quality and originality of the work, and considerations of personal and artistic integrity.

We have watched many of our artists change, grow, and receive deserved recognition by inclusion in both museum and private collections.

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Opening reception for my two woman show with artist, Nancy Colella

In 2009 Sally gave me a two woman show with nancy Colella. In our 9 years, Sally has sold quite a lot of my paintings to collectors from around the world. The art market has really gone up and down and up and down and sideways over these years. After careful consideration, Sally ended up selling the building that housed The Munson Gallery and relocated her gallery just down the road at the office of her husband, Jack's real estate office, Gibson Sotheby's International Realty at 1455 Main Street, Chatham, MA (between Chatham Fish and Lobster and Shop Ahoy Plaza).

To see a quick and spontaneous tour of The Munson Gallery in their current location, 

click here.

The Munson Gallery (sharing space with  Gibson Sotheby's Realty)

A few paintings at The Munson Gallery in Chatham MA

Scout, the gallery dog.

From April through October Sally and Munson Gallery hangs art in a rotating show at 

Pisces Restaurant in South Chatham. 

Shown on left, "Cadence", 36"x48"

"Devotion", 20"x24", Oil on panel.

I'm so appreciative of Sally giving me my first "gallery representation" and taking a chance on me. Having that first reputable gallery opened up other galleries for me. I am eternally grateful. As I've said to folks, I could have banged on one hundred gallery doors that year and not found the right match, but I lucked out. The timing was right and someone took a chance on this emerging artist.     

Gallery owner, Sally Munson, and artist, Whitney Heavey

Sally and I are friends to this day and I am so grateful for her and look forward to many more years of selling art together! 

For more information The Munson Gallery.