art beat / By Linda Mitchell

Sculpting a Gallery

Local artist takes the plunge

(June 23, 2011)  Until a few weeks ago, Jack Sewell worked as a part-time nurse at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka while creating his award-winning sculptures in his spare time. He was approaching retirement age and looking forward to more studio hours when his life took an abrupt, unexpected turn.

“I got a phone call from Dan Ollivier, who owns the Gross Building on the corner of Fifth and F in Eureka,” said Sewell. “He said he’s always wanted to see a gallery in that spot and asked if I’d be interested in opening one.”

Jack Sewell in front of his work-in-progress. PHOTO BY BOB DORAN

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Even though Sewell never aspired to be a gallery owner, Ollivier offered a very attractive financial arrangement and an agreement was reached. Sewell quit his nursing job and rolled up his sleeves. “Opening any new business — let alone an art gallery — is a huge commitment, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. This amazing space just literally fell in my lap.”

It’s easy to understand the appeal. The gallery is located in the heart of Eureka’s art district, halfway between the Morris Graves Museum of Art and HSU’s First Street Gallery. Plus, the space is one of the most beautiful retail venues in Eureka, featuring amazing natural light, soaring ceilings, original fir floors and 3,900 square feet of display space.

“The place is huge,” said Sewell. “There’s room to exhibit a lot of artists — and we plan to do just that. We’ll have featured work each month, but we’ll represent a large group of artists on an ongoing basis as well.”

Around 40 artists are lined up for the opening exhibit, including many of the biggest names in the region: Jim McVicker, Bob Benson, Leslie Price, Lou Marak, Kathy O’Leary, Bruno and Nina Groth, Duane and Micki Flatmo, Theresa Oats, Becky Evans, Stock and Rachel Schlueter, and Peggy Loudon. All will be showing their work at the Sewell, as well as dozens of other notable artists.

“My main criteria for choosing artists is that they’re serious and professional,” said Sewell. “Ideally, they should have a track record of sales, both here and outside the area. I have personal relationships with most of the people we’ll initially be showing, but I definitely plan to bring more artists on board down the road.”

Sewell has lived on the North Coast for nearly 40 years and is a well-known and well-loved figure in the art community. His sculpture has been widely exhibited, and he served on the board of the Redwood Art Association for more than 20 years. “I learned how to put exhibits together from the ground up while I was working with the RAA. I think that experience will come in very handy with the new gallery. I also met a lot of people through that association. I think my connections are my biggest asset, in fact.”

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