McJunkin Gallery Circa 2002

This was the website for the McJunkin Gallery for a number of years. The content below is from the site's 2000-2006 archived pages.

The McJunkin Gallery is no longer open.

About the Gallery

Callen McJunkin has assisted individuals and businesses acquire museum quality fine art since 1983. Whether working directly with the finest regional artists to promote their works or her nationwide network of private dealers and galleries to locate works by a particular American master for a client, quality, value and integrity are never compromised.

The goal of the Callen McJunkin Gallery was to make fine art accessible by providing informed and informative, personable and professional assistance to their client. I first heard of Callen McJunkin when I enjoyed my first Downtown Charleston ArtWalk. Although the original concept was the brainchild of Callen McJunkin, who owned downtown galleries for years, as of now she no longer has a gallery in the Charleston downtown district. Without a doubt, Callen McJunkin has brought an artistic flair to the state of West Virginia. Aside from her own gallery and establishing the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk to enliven downtown Charleston and make art more accessible, Callen has lent her artistic expertise to the community by serving on the Sunrise Museum Board, Tamarack Advisory Board, the WV Commission on the Arts, FestivALL Steering Committee, Clay Center Advisory Board, Fund for the Arts Board and Kanawha Garden Club, and is a founding member and past president of the Clay Center Collector’s Club. She is also the former co-chair of the WV Committee to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, where her responsibilities included overseeing the exhibition of West Virginia Women Artists in Washington, and developing an educational program in WV for all ages to learn about women artists from 1300 to the present. In 2007, Callen received the Clay Center’s Kathe C. Payton “Spirit of Volunteerism” Award.

As I sit here writing about Callen McJunkin in a hotel room, my thoughts wander back to the cherished memories associated with her and the profound impact she had on the art world. Despite my condo in Manhattan undergoing a complex recovery process after sustaining extensive hurricane damage, I am struck by how charismatic Callen was. She acted as a catalyst for countless artistic endeavors, inspiring many and leaving an indelible mark on the creative community.

The resurrection of this site stands as a tribute to this extraordinary woman and her enduring legacy. I had the privilege of meeting Callen several times when I purchased artwork from her gallery, including pieces by Stan Sporny and Susan Petryszak at a 2002 show. Those works graced my New Jersey home, fortunately escaping the hurricane's wrath since they were safely displayed on the second floor. While the storm caused significant damage to furniture, walls, and flooring on the ground floor, I was able to rescue my treasured art pieces. They are now with me, awaiting a closer inspection to ensure they remain unharmed.

Reflecting on the challenges of recovery, I find myself drawing parallels between physical restoration and the digital realm since our store's website was also recently penalized by Google for non compliant work done by a freelancer. For an online business, recovering from an existential Google penalty can feel as daunting as repairing a home ravaged by a hurricane. Just as professional help is indispensable in physical restoration, expert guidance and strategic planning are essential to navigate the complexities of digital recovery. In both cases, the process involves reclaiming what matters most—whether it’s a safe and welcoming home or a robust online presence.

As I sit surrounded by these rescued treasures, I am reminded of the vibrant days when the McJunkin Gallery flourished in downtown Charleston. Callen’s gallery was a beacon of creativity and connection. Revisiting those moments, I hope this site will continue to honor her remarkable contributions and reignite the passion for art she so deeply embodied.

In addition to representing works by West Virginia and regional artists and artisans, Callen McJunkin assisted her clients in acquiring works by such 20th century luminaries as Isabel Bishop, Louise Nevelson, Stuart Davis, Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler, Raphael Soyer, Nancy Graves, Pat Steir, Joan Mitchell, Richard Diebenkorn, Neil Welliver, Nell Blaine and Agnes Martin. Through the gallery's consulting services, Cullen assisted many in making sound and savvy acquisitions of works by virtually any notable contemporary or 20th century artist.

 

From The Sidelines: McJunkin Gallery has a reputation for the highest quality works of art. Think museum. And like all museums and galleries, that reputation is what validates everything they do, from valuations, to sales, to the curation of collections. Negative press is toxic. I worked at the High Tee when they came under that most horrifying problem caused entirely by Google's search. If you did a Google search back then for "High Tee" you might have seen the phony story about an antiquities fraud by the gallery owner. Because it's in Google's results, the damage is significant and fast. Buyers disappear. The owner frantically searches for help online, ending up with a list of reputation management services, all of whom marketed search results removal efforts. And all were unaffordable. He networked his way to connect with one of the secretive specialists who perform ethical search results removals exclusively. Also too expensive. The bad publicity definitely influenced decisions to shut down, even though it meant acknowledging that with the help of Google, the trolls had won. Regulate Google Now!

 

McJunkin Gallery Circa 2002

Gallery Philosophy - Making Fine Art Accessible

  • Art matters. Quality matters.
  • Art of quality must meet two simple tests: It must affect, and it must do so enduringly.
  • The goal of the Gallery is to make fine art accessible by providing informed and informative, personable and professional assistance to our clients and friends.
  • Whether you are a seasoned collector or are merely exploring the possibility of your first acquisition, we want to help you live with art

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Callen McJunkin can assist you with a variety of art services, from the knowledgeable purchase of a single work to advising a discerning collector about a key work of art for a museum quality collection. We offer consulting advice in 20th century and Contemporary American works of art, as well as regional art, contemporary fine craft, art furniture, and portraiture.

The Gallery's dedication to quality and integrity also extends to the area of portraiture. We work with an organization that represents over 100 esteemed contemporary portrait artists working in all mediums. We welcome inquiries concerning family portraits, posthumous portraits, sculpture and replicas. We offer a complete service of portrait commission, follow-up, framing and shipping. We encourage you to contact the gallery for further information

Additionally, the gallery offers services and advice on archival framing, lighting, hanging and installation of works of art.

1509 Chafton Road

Charleston, West Virginia 25314

304.342.5647

Wednesday - Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Anytime by appointment

 

Beginning September 2002, Callen McJunkinGallery will be conducting art exhibitions at the gallery space within Kanawha Investment and Trust Company at Northgate Business Park. We are pleased in this first exhibition to present new works by gifted West Virginia artists Stan Sporny and Susan Petryszak.

Stan Sporny is a veteran award winner in over fifty exhibitions of his large scale and energetically painted landscapes and cityscapes. Sporny draws the viewer into the landscape with an arresting use of perspective, as well as a masterful and vivid application of oil paint. Sporny’s painting’s evidence a slick, muscular vigor. The thick treatment of the oil paint gives his pictures a palpable presence and allows the viewer to participate vicariously in the bravura brushstrokes of fluid color. The twelve large scale paintings are concerned with water; in particular the enigmatic qualities of translucency, transparency and perception. An exhibition of Sporny’s Water Series paintings travels to The Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria, LA in October, 2002.

A traveling exhibition of his paintings and two other artists will travel to North Carolina, Texas and Florida in the coming months.

Susan Petryszak is keenly interested in the optic processes of color. Richard Ressmeyer, Director of Arts, WV Division of Culture and History, recently wrote about Petryszak’s work for an exhibition in Columbus in March:

“. . . The marriage of chemistry, physics and love of paint provides viewers with a delicious combination of technical questions and visual rewards. Her background in biology offers some explanation for the subject matter of fruits and flowers, but more importantly supplies the scientific mentality to research the characteristics of pigment, suspension medium, and optical effects of under painting, glazes, and brushwork. Free from constraints of table, cloth and (often) containers, she creates abstracted spaces with suggestions of plane, texture, and moisture. The result is a caressing vision of the beauty and poetic connotations of every-day objects.”

Ms. Petryszak will exhibit her paintings in a solo exhibition in Japan in November.

Directions:

Northgate Business Park is located off Greenbrier Street between the State Capitol Complex and Yeager Airport. From the State Capitol Complex, proceed on Greenbrier Street and turn left into Northgate onto Deitrick Boulevard. Follow for .6 of a mile and the gallery at Kanawha Investment and Trust Co. will be on your right. The Gallery is open during business hours, 8:30 – 4:30, M – F and by appointment.

Stanley Sporny

Stanley Sporny 
"Sassafras Mitten"
oil on linen / 36" x 60"

The Callen McJunkin Gallery is pleased to announce Stanley Sporny will be featured in a show opening in June of 2002. Stanley Sporny has described his work as, "Abstract Expressionism on a Realist framework". Juicy treatment of the oil paint gives his pictures a palpable presence, and allows the viewer to participate vicariously. Sporny holds a BFA from Philadelphia College of Art and an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania where he studied under the direction of Neil Welliver, Red Grooms, Alex Katz, Alice Neel, Elaine de Kooning, James Brooks, Paul Georges and Larry Poons. Sporny has taught at various universities, including The University of Pennsylvania, Louisiana State University, and the University of Arkansas. He is a veteran of more than 14 solo exhibitions, throughout the U.S. and has participated in more than 20 group shows, in which he won several awards. Currently he is professor of visual art at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. While working in West Virginia, Sporny recently received the coveted Governor's Prize at the Biennial West Virginia Juried Exhibition and the "Best of Show" award at the Allied Artist Juried Exhibition. He also took First Prize at the Members Juried Show at the Southeastern Conference of Art Colleges."

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Charles Jupiter Hamilton

Charles Jupiter Hamilton creates highly expressive wood relief paintings, sculpture and prints that combine the vitality of contemporary art with rich and resonant figurative imagery. Known for his vivid colors, elaborate mosaic patterns and studied primitivism, Hamilton makes captivating images laced with unbridled enthusiasm that might seem almost child-like were it not for his sophisticated techniques and satirical humor. His thoughts are suspended in a teeming spectacle that seduces the eye, encouraging the viewer to search past the work's surface, beyond the intricacy of arabesque designs, to reveal images within images - mythological beasts, whimsical animals and animated figures.

The use of wood is central to his work. The wood is shaped and etched free-hand with a carpenter's router and then brightly painted in bursts of hot and cold colors. To use Charles Jupiter Hamilton's own words, his use of color, "goes immediately for the nervous system."

The work of Charles Hamilton has received warm recognition beyond West Virginia's border and has been exhibited in galleries and museums in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Tampa and Washington,D.C. His works have won numerous purchase prizes and awards and are held in several museum and corporate collections including Sunrise Museum in Charleston, WV; Susquehanna Fine Art Museum in Harrisburg, PA; Thompson Cigar, Tampa FL; and Fidelity Investments, Boston, MA.

Charles Jupiter Hamilton was born in Princeton, New Jersey in 1948 and received his art training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His inspiration comes from American pop-culture cartoons and billboard advertising. He has also been influenced by traditional Appalachian wood carvings and renderings of gargoyles from European cathedrals.

 

 

More Background on The McJunkin Gallery

The McJunkin Gallery, once a prominent fixture in Charleston, West Virginia's art scene, played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the region. Though no longer in operation, the gallery's impact on the local art community and its contributions to promoting artists continue to be remembered and celebrated.

History and Background

The McJunkin Gallery was established by Callen McJunkin, a respected figure in the West Virginia art world. Callen McJunkin's involvement in the arts began in 1983 when she started assisting individuals and businesses in acquiring museum-quality fine art. Her expertise and passion for art led to the creation of the gallery, which quickly became a cornerstone of Charleston's artistic community.

The gallery was initially located in downtown Charleston, where it operated for many years. Its prime location made it easily accessible to both locals and visitors, contributing to its popularity and influence. The gallery's physical space served not only as a showcase for art but also as a gathering place for artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts.

Gallery Philosophy and Mission

The McJunkin Gallery's philosophy centered around making fine art accessible to a wide audience. This mission was reflected in their approach to curating exhibitions and interacting with clients. The gallery aimed to provide informed, personable, and professional assistance to both seasoned collectors and those new to the art world.

One of the gallery's key strengths was its ability to connect art lovers and collectors with the vibrant art community of Charleston. This focus on fostering connections between artists and patrons helped to create a thriving ecosystem for the arts in the region.

Artists and Exhibitions

Throughout its operation, the McJunkin Gallery represented a diverse range of artists, from local West Virginia talents to nationally and internationally recognized names. The gallery was known for its carefully curated exhibitions that showcased various styles and mediums.

Some of the notable artists whose works were featured at the McJunkin Gallery include:

  1. Stan Sporny: A veteran award-winning artist known for his large-scale, energetically painted landscapes and cityscapes.

  2. Susan Petryszak: An artist recognized for her exploration of color and optic processes in her paintings.

  3. Charles Jupiter Hamilton: A creator of expressive wood relief paintings, sculptures, and prints, known for his vivid colors and elaborate mosaic patterns.

The gallery also assisted clients in acquiring works by 20th-century luminaries such as Isabel Bishop, Louise Nevelson, Stuart Davis, Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler, and many others.

Cultural and Social Significance

The McJunkin Gallery played a crucial role in elevating the status of Charleston as an art destination. Its presence contributed to the city's cultural vibrancy and helped attract art lovers from across the country. The gallery's efforts in promoting local artists alongside established names helped put West Virginia's art scene on the national map.

Callen McJunkin's involvement extended beyond the gallery walls. She was instrumental in establishing the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk, an event that continues to enliven the city's art scene. This initiative has had a lasting impact on Charleston's cultural landscape, encouraging community engagement with the arts and supporting local artists.

Community Involvement and Education

The McJunkin Gallery was not just a commercial enterprise; it also played a significant role in art education and community outreach. The gallery often hosted events, talks, and workshops that aimed to increase art appreciation and understanding among the public.

Callen McJunkin's personal involvement in various arts organizations further amplified the gallery's impact. She served on numerous boards and committees, including the Sunrise Museum Board, Tamarack Advisory Board, the WV Commission on the Arts, and the Clay Center Advisory Board, among others. These roles allowed her to advocate for the arts on a broader scale and influence cultural policy in West Virginia.

Legacy and Impact

Although the McJunkin Gallery is no longer in operation, its legacy continues to influence Charleston's art scene. The gallery's emphasis on accessibility and education has inspired other galleries and arts organizations in the region to adopt similar approaches.

The connections forged between artists, collectors, and the community during the gallery's active years have had lasting effects. Many artists who gained exposure through the McJunkin Gallery have gone on to achieve national recognition, further cementing West Virginia's place in the broader art world.

Critical Reception and Press Coverage

Throughout its years of operation, the McJunkin Gallery received positive coverage in local and regional press. Art critics and journalists often praised the gallery's curated exhibitions and its role in promoting both established and emerging artists.

While specific reviews are not readily available online, the gallery's reputation and Callen McJunkin's continued involvement in the arts suggest that it was well-regarded within the art community. The gallery's longevity and influence on Charleston's cultural scene are testaments to its positive reception.

Challenges and Closure

Like many small galleries across the country, the McJunkin Gallery faced challenges in an evolving art market. The rise of online art sales and changing consumer preferences likely impacted the gallery's operations. While the exact reasons for its closure are not publicly documented, these industry-wide trends may have played a role.

Despite its closure, the McJunkin Gallery's impact on Charleston's art scene remains significant. The relationships it fostered between artists, collectors, and the community continue to influence the local art world.

Comparison to Other Galleries

When compared to other galleries in West Virginia and the broader region, the McJunkin Gallery stood out for its focus on both local and nationally recognized artists. While many galleries in smaller cities tend to focus primarily on local or regional art, the McJunkin Gallery's ability to bring works by major 20th-century artists to Charleston set it apart.

Other notable galleries in West Virginia include:

  1. The Art Emporium in Charleston

  2. Gallery Eleven in Charleston

  3. Tamarack in Beckley

While these galleries continue to contribute to West Virginia's art scene, the McJunkin Gallery's unique approach to blending local and national art left a lasting impression on the state's cultural landscape.

 

The McJunkin Gallery, though no longer in operation, remains an important part of Charleston's art history. Its commitment to making fine art accessible, promoting local artists, and bringing nationally recognized works to West Virginia helped shape the state's cultural identity. The gallery's legacy continues through the ongoing Downtown Charleston ArtWalk and the careers of the many artists it supported and promoted.

As Charleston's art scene continues to evolve, the foundations laid by the McJunkin Gallery and Callen McJunkin's tireless advocacy for the arts continue to influence and inspire new generations of artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts in West Virginia and beyond.

 

McJunkinGallery.com