Ask Douglas Reynolds, owner of the Douglas Reynolds Gallery on South Granville, what he has planned for his Saturday night, and one gets a peek at what its like to be a member of Vancouvers fine art society. First stop, the Vancouver Art Gallerys 2012 auction, where Reynolds has donated a $30,000 carving. Then, its off to the Cuban ballet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Reynolds is one of the corporate sponsors), followed by drinks with the Cuban dancers and crew.
Over the past 16 years, Reynolds gallery has evolved to become the go-to gallery for the upper echelon of Northwest Coast artists. When I opened it was much more mid-range, says Reynolds. Now its much higher end. But weve always been a gallery that supports new and upcoming artists.
Celebrated Haida artist Robert Davidson has a close relationship with the galleryworking on public and large private commissions for people all over the world. We did a series of five totem poles about five years ago for British artist Damien Hirst, says Reynolds.
These commissions have grown to become a major part of the businessbut Reynolds recognizes that it is his storefront on South Granville (and his Vancouver-based charity work) that keeps him connected to the local community and certainly aided in his early success as the gallery that received the most local foot traffic.
