Buffalo Rising Online

Sep 19th 2006, 9:08pm By queenseyes

Collecting original art is so trendy that the action itself has become an art form. Years ago it would not have been unheard of to find an original work at a garage sale or a flea market. These days you just have to find the smaller galleries that start up for the 'right reasons'. The right reasons? Well, I'll get to that in a minute.

First I would like to welcome a new gallery to Hertel. It's called the Hertel Gallery and the only thing you will find inside are original works of art by big name regional and national artists the likes of Robert Blair, Virginia Cuthbert, Philip Burk, James Vullo, JC Litz, Mildred Green, Hal English, Charles Burchfield and Peter Max. Dave and Kelly (photo) are the brother/sister team that masterminded the one-month-old creation. The idea came about when Kelly, a former employee at a downtown coffee shop, suggested that her brother unload his collection of art that he had acquired throughout his lifetime. It was that sudden. The next day the two sat down to design their creation.

"I've spent many years collecting works of art because I am drawn to certain paintings," Dave Shared with me. "His house was filled with his prized possessions," Kelly added. "The idea was a sudden inspiration and I am still a little surprised that he went for it." The walls of Hertel Gallery are lined with Dave's private collection, which is now... not so private. And if you think art has to be expensive? The brother and sister team did not have to go to the ends of the earth to find this collection. They only had to drive over to Dave's house. If they were purchasing the collection piecemeal then the turnaround prices would be extravagant. Instead they set the prices along the lines of what they felt was fair market value.

Hertel Gallery is located next to La Marina restaurant, and the two businesses have a symbiotic relationship. On certain evening don't be surprised to see the doors between the restaurant and the gallery swing wide open. Great food and beautiful art... how can you go wrong with that combination? Art is alive in Buffalo and here is a neighborhood gallery that wants to make its mark. "The only problem that I foresee," Dave finished. "Is how to replenish the art as it sells... we're working on that next." Kelly chimed in, "Hertel has already been great to us. We're so happy to be here adding to the avenue's vibrancy."

Hertel Gallery is located at 1501 Hertel Avenue. The phone is 716-833-4333