When Baltimore’s Merritt Gallery & Renaissance Fine Arts announced its upcoming closure after more than four decades, artist clients immediately reached out with heartfelt tributes.
“This is a shock,” Canadian-born painter Joseph Adolphe wrote.
“As this chapter closes, you leave behind a precious cultural legacy,” added Nathalie Boissonnault.
”It is not possible to describe the effect of being represented by your gallery has had on my life,” wrote Maryland artist John Brandon Sills.
These messages, shared with The Banner by gallery co-owner Merritt Miller, capture a void that will soon be felt by local art buyers and enthusiasts as well.
Miller and Rachel Rubin, her sister and business partner, announced in late February that the three galleries — in Baltimore’s Village of Cross Keys; Chevy Chase; and Haverford, Pennsylvania — will close in early summer. The last day of operation has yet to be announced.
The reason behind the closure is simple, Miller said. It was time.
“It’s nice to go out strong and to be proud of what we’ve done,” she said. “In our personal lives, the timing was right. We felt complete.”
Over 40 years ago, their mother, Joanie Young, founded the gallery inside her Pikesville home. Her 2009 retirement prompted Miller and Rubin to take over the business, which opened its current Baltimore home in 2013.
Merritt Gallery has represented and sold works by notable contemporary artists from around the world, including Hunt Slonem, famous for his neo-expressionist works of butterflies and bunnies, and the Mexican-born abstract painter Beatriz Simón. While most of the collection consists of artists located around the world, Merritt Gallery has also carried locally made works by Sills and Eric Abrecht, a Maryland Institute College of Art alum.
Sisters Merritt Miller, left, and Rachel Rubin will close Merritt Gallery & Renaissance Fine Arts’ three galleries, including two in Maryland, this summer. (Courtesy of Merritt Gallery & Renaissance Fine Arts)
Miller said she cherishes the relationships she’s built with clients over the years, whether through selling art, consulting about interior design or custom framing.
“The joy in what we’ve been kind of allowed to do is connecting exceptional art with passionate collectors and helping people build meaningful collections,” Miller said.
In its final months, Merritt Gallery is hosting a first-come, first-served “End of an Era” sale, with 25% to 75% discounts on its catalog. That’s likely good news for patrons on a budget — many regular prices listed on the gallery’s website are in the four- to five-figure range. Other pieces, like Slonem’s, don’t offer a price; those interested must inquire.
As she prepares for life after co-owning a gallery, Miller offered some advice to art fans, whether they’re buyers or simply admirers: “Stay curious.”
“It’s OK to push your boundaries and then find what you love and find what resonates with you,” she said. “You’re not just decorating.”