Kergyma Gallery Closes After More Than Two Decades

After more than two decades, scores of individual and group exhibitions, and dozens of catalogues, The Kerygma Gallery, known for its representation of American representational, photorealist and abstract expressionist contemporary art, has closed its doors. Located on the second floor of the Old Post Office, the Gallery, which served as the heartbeat for the local art scene in the region, is another victim of a weak economy and soaring rent hikes. 

Ironically, the opening and closing of the Gallery almost mirror each other in terms of the conditions of the country and the economy. “We opened in the fall of 1988 in a weak economy and now we are closing in one,” said Ron Huse, the founder and co-owner of the gallery along with his wife, Viola. “When we started we expected to break even after two years but it took us four. “  

Now, after three tough years, intensified by the demands of a spike in rent along with a lease renewal, the challenge proved too much.

When the Gallery first opened–at the same time the building had its opening after being renovated–15 artists were represented but in time the number increased to approximately two dozen artists. This was the maximum number the Huses felt they could responsibly manage and promote. During that time, any of the artists became the recipients of grants, honors and awards.

“We worked with many art consultants and interior designers over the years,” said Mr. Huse. As a result, they were able to place art in many important collections.   These include Pfizer, Towers Perrin, the International Sculpture Center, Citibank, and the State Department in Washington, D.C. The Huses were also able to arrange for the artists work to participate in museum shows as well as to move on to national representation from a regional one.

The closing exhibition, a group show, was almost a family album, if not homage, to their years there. These included the minimal composition of a Sylvia Alberts painting, the mixed media image of Gracia Dayton, the cityscape of Gerard Doudera, the quiet watercolor of David Lee and the travel-inspired work of Sandra Frech. Throughout the years the Huses always hung the shows themselves.

For Ron and Viola Huse, the Gallery was not just a partnership of business and art, or business and marriage. It was a passion that extended beyond the world of the Gallery.  Through art they become involved with the community. They participated in the Pascack Valley Hospital Arts Program and donated many pieces of artwork to hang on the hospital walls. Beginning in the early 1990s they also sponsored scholarships for graduating high school students planning to study art or attend art schools. 

Ron and Viola Huse began the Gallery at a time when Ron was dissatisfied with his corporate life and felt it was time for a change. They decided to ask themselves what they would want to do, if they could do it, if they only had six months or a year to live. There was no question art was the answer – they had already been actively collecting during vacations and travel. It took them about 1 ½ years to research how galleries are run, find artists, and construct the beautiful, light-filled space designed by Barbara Ostrom & Associates which the Gallery occupied.

According to Carl Saxe, an artist who has been with the Gallery almost from its inception, with Ron and Viola, it was more than a business relationship. "They cared about their artists as if they were family and treated us very well," Saxe said. 

"I will miss them. With the demise of the Gallery there is really no one to fill the gap."