Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Armendariz.
Victor, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My career in the arts began about 21 years ago. I had moved to Chicago from California in my mid-twenties where, after a few years of adjustment to my new home, I met Christopher Clark, my now husband and business partner. It was through Christopher and a series of connections that I met Betsy Nathan. It was 1997 and Betsy was just in the process of opening Pagoda Red. Betsy’s vision for her company was clear and her energy contagious.
I was soon to learn where that energy and drive came from because, while she didn’t think I was the right fit for what she was looking for at that stage of her business, she did have another idea for me and took me to meet her mother, the venerable Chicago Art Dealer, Ann Nathan. Ann also did not want to hire me at first. I had no experience working in an art gallery and my major in college was English literature. But, I persisted and she decided to give me a shot. I started working with Ann Nathan in the fall of 1997. Her gallery became my life for the next 20 years.
Ann announced her retirement in the summer of 2016. The world of art had become a part of my blood. Chris and I decided to dive in and open our own art gallery. For nine months Chris and I dove into the process of opening a business, each of us relying on our strengths. Christopher, a lawyer and manager for the Midwest office of Lambda Legal, a civil rights organization, drew from his analytical and organized background to come up with a viable business plan.
While I drew from my relationships with artists, collectors and the community to solidify the overall vision for the gallery. After a whirlwind 9 months planning, organizing, negotiating and sweating, we opened the doors for Gallery Victor Armendariz, March 3, 2017.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel very fortunate that I began my career in the art world working for a great gallery and had the opportunity to build relationships in the art community over the last 20 years. However, I think starting any business is difficult and the art world has its own particular set of difficulties.
There will always be challenges when you’re running a business and you learn quickly to surround yourself with people who know more than you and have your best interests at heart. You also have to learn to give up some control and trust the people you’ve surrounded yourself with–this is something I struggle with all the time. Overall, I’d say the process is a rewarding adventure.
Please tell us about Gallery Victor Armendariz.
The gallery’s focus is on realist and figurative painting, sculpture and studio furniture. When looking at an artist’s work, I look at it from several perspectives. First, I have to like to work. I want to feel like there is something about the artwork that is personally compelling. I want the artwork to grab me in the gut. But I also want to see that the artwork has a future. I want to envision it somewhere, a home, an office building, a museum. People return to our gallery because the quality of the artwork is extraordinary and the imagery is unforgettable.
In addition, we have a portion of the gallery called The Studio. All of the artwork in this section is priced under $2,000. with the price range starting as low as $75. Small sketches, paintings, prints and studies are perfect for young collectors and seasoned collectors alike. The Studio is so popular that we moved it to the main wall of the gallery for the month of December.
We’re also proud that we used the month of December to give back to the community. A portion of all proceeds from the month of December was donated to The Night Ministry, an organization providing services to Chicago’s homeless population including LGBTQ youth. We also gave over a portion of the gallery to Gigi’s Playhouse, Down syndrome Achievement Centers. We were able to donate $4,900 dollars to close our 1st year.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I loved growing up in California. Having family vacations at the beach, in the mountains, visiting Disneyland and Universal Studios. In the same day, we could be sledding in the snow and later that day playing on the beach.
Contact Info:
- Address: 300 West Superior Street Chicago, IL 60654
- Website: www.galleryvictor.com
- Phone: 312.722.6447
- Email: mail@galleryvictor.com
- Instagram: @galleryvictorchicago
- Facebook: @galleryvictor
- Twitter: @galleryvictor
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
