After 15 years, Open Shutter Gallery will close its retail space on Nov. 30.
The gallery has been a fine-arts photography presence in downtown Durango since 2001. The business will head in a new direction, including new opportunities for owner Margy Dudley, who’s planning to focus on her own photography – and maybe even have the chance to get out and travel a bit.
“I’m a photographer first; I’ve had a camera in my hands since I was 5 – a little Instamatic with 120 film,” she said. “Photography has always been a part of my life.”
Dudley moved to Durango 17 years ago with her husband and sons. After a couple of years, she saw a need in the local arts community.
“I noticed that there were so many photographers in town, but there was not one photography gallery at that time – 15 years ago,” she said. “And I thought, ‘What would I have to lose if I gave it a shot?’”
And 15 years on, she said, the gallery became a welcoming place.
“To me, I want anyone and everyone to feel comfortable in here, to learn about photography if you don’t already now, to get inspired, to leave happier than you came in,” she said. “I make a big point for everyone who works here to greet people and to explain what they’re looking at, and then leave them to enjoy (it).
“It’s my baby. It was my creative outlet,” she said.
Dudley said the decision to close the gallery wasn’t one she made overnight.
“It’s been about a year that I’ve been thinking just on my own,” she said. “It’s a big decision, and I certainly haven’t taken it lightly. But the more really cool and unique stuff that comes in – especially mixed media – and the more I hear about the workshops these photographers give ... I don’t really have the time at this point to do workshops, to do artist residencies, and all of those things are just becoming more and more important to me.
“Maybe it’s an age thing, but the time to really polish and let my art grow ... I don’t know what it’s going to look like, but I can’t wait to see what happens,” she said.
The gallery will maintain a website, offering items for sale and representing selected artists.
“I will keep an online presence because I have a good amount of inventory,” she said. “I’m not going to be doing any kind of going-out-of-business sales – I don’t want to cheapen art. I’m a representative of the arts, and I feel strongly about that.
“It’s been great. But after 15 years, I’m ready to not be responsible for a Main Avenue space,” she said.
And the legacy she wants for Open Shutter Gallery?
“I don’t know if this is someone else’s quote, but I’ll just say I think art is what makes us human,” Dudley said. “I believe that art should be available to everyone.”
In its final months, the gallery will continue to show new exhibits, including: Beth Moon, July 15-Sept. 14; Holly Roberts, Sept. 16-Nov. 30; and in the Red Room: Jeremy Wade Schockley, Paul Boyer, Dudley and Ilze Aviks.
katie@durangoherald.com
