Dozens of art lovers filled the Williamsburg Art Gallery one last time Thursday evening as owners Gulay and Clyde Berryman hosted their final event ahead of closing the Merchants Square location Sept. 1.
As the gallery gears up to shift to an online-only operation, the “Last Huzzah” combined live performances, food, wine and community to commemorate the end of one era and the start of another.
“I think it’s a fabulous gallery. They’re just very dedicated,” said Williamsburg resident Tom Mills.
Mills added that he’s sad to see the brick-and-mortar gallery close, but pleased that its art will still be available to browse and buy online.
“That’s the most important thing,” he said.
Gulay Berryman said the event was meant to create the same atmosphere present at the gallery’s grand opening in 2015.
“It was very festive,” she said. “We just wanted to end it in the same manner.”
Gail Johnson, who also turned out for the grand opening celebration, praised the layout of the gallery and the quality of the art on its walls.
“The whole thing is very friendly,” she said.
Bob Mandala, an artist who used the gallery to showcase his wire bonsai trees, lauded the Berrymans for fostering creativity.
“Gulay and Clyde have been so supportive of my work. It’s been an opportunity for me to grow as an artist,” he said. “Hats off to them for doing such a great job.”
During its three-year run, the gallery also saw third parties hold events inside. One couple used the spot for their wedding. The space served as a venue for events held by charity as well as performing arts organizations, including Opera in Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra.
“We tried to do something different,” Gulay Berryman said. “We combined art and music because they go so well together.”
Baritone Kevin Lucas, who serenaded the crowd Thursday with opera arias alongside pianist Karen Areheart Ives, said he’d visited the gallery a couple of times prior to the performance. The owners’ affinity for art of all kinds left an impression, and he called the gallery space “jaw-dropping.”
Ives, who moved to Williamsburg in 2017 and serves as St. Stephen Lutheran Church’s music director, said the gallery was beautiful as well.
“I’m so sorry that it’s not going to be here anymore, because I really want to come back,” she said.
The demanding nature of running a real-world gallery space seven days a week — from accounting to organizing shipments and manning the front desk — sparked the decision to shift focus online.
“I must say, we never had a dull moment during these three years,” Gulay Berryman said, also praising the dedication of artists who volunteered to watch over the store in that time.
Gulay Berryman plans to use her additional free time to focus on painting. Although the Williamsburg Art Gallery is taking on a new form, she made it clear that it will continue to influence the area’s art scene, including the possibility of sponsoring future events at another location.
“I’m very optimistic,” she said. “This is not a goodbye.”
Want to go?
Williamsburg Art Gallery is open through Sept. 1. It is located at 440A W. Duke of Gloucester St. Learn more at wmbgartgallery.com.
