About Mattison Gallery
February 2010
Mattison Gallery began with the thought that this space with a little cleanup could be filled with my sculpture, for the month of December. Kind of the found space feel of so many transient downtown 1970's city galleries. Take advantage of the holiday season to make a few sales. And then, move on.
Somehow, the space took over. For the past twenty years, my focus, in the real world, has been conservation, restoration, and replication, of historic structures and artifacts. Through the years spent rehabilitating the exterior facade of this building, I had also been advising the owners on the handling, of the interior space. The drop ceilings and office partitions were removed, revealing the original 19th century bank business area detail. The openings between the three discreet areas that had been framed and plastered, were opened, and finished, returning the floor layout to one much more like that of the original bank configuration. The antique grandeur of the site lent itself well, to the display, of fine art.
Much of the free standing sculptural work displayed in the gallery is the product of recreational activity. After a day working to exacting specifications, its a relief to indulge oneself, in an exercise of creativity outside prescribed boundaries. Mattison Gallery is just such an exercise, and the experience has been very rewarding, in every way except financially. Unfortunately, due to this lack of financial return the endeavor has proven not to be economically viable, and so, the physical manifestation of Mattison Gallery, is no more.
What remains? The many fine new friends met, in the course of developing the gallery. Memories, of the many wonderful parties, artist's receptions, and other events that were attended by friends, old and new, and the public who came to view the work, and stayed to enjoy the revelry. All the memories..., and this site. Which still allows a chance to promote the arts, and bring a little beauty, to this sometimes dreary world.