After 40 thrilling years of doing business in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, we at the Greg Kucera Gallery are celebrating by staying in business. We are not closing. Or even slowing down. We are not transitioning to an online only or social media gallery. We are not becoming private dealers. We are not becoming an “art fair only” gallery. 

Instead, we are embracing our past, our present, and our future by continuing to represent and exhibit some of the finest of contemporary artists. The pleasure found in our business is in encouraging the passionate obsessions of our collectors in response to the intelligence and creativity of our artists. We are staying the course of our original mission.

For this exhibition, we have invited our represented artists to exhibit pairs of works; one early, and one recent. These curated juxtapositions will reveal aspects of their creative histories — showing where they have been in contrast to where they are now — both within their career and through their partnership with the gallery. 

“Looking back into my 40 year history with these artists, I'm sentimental about the many friendships that have developed. In touching ways, I feel like I've grown up with many of my artists. It's incredible to think I've had relationships of nearly 40 years with artists such as Mark Calderon, Ross Palmer Beecher, and Roger Shimomura. I started the gallery when I was a confident, (but naive) 27 year old. My timing was lucky though, and we have all benefited from that good fortune. 

“Now, I'm 67 and I'm slowly retiring in France. I still work for the gallery every day. While Seattle sleeps, I'm answering emails from time zones elsewhere. When the gallery is open, I'm often working with Jim and Carol from afar, writing texts, answering emails, and making phone calls. I am simply not at my desk in Seattle every day as I had been for so long. 

“I feel that I do this business now as easily as I breathe so working remotely, and intermittently, throughout the day gives me great satisfaction.

“These decades have flown by and the contemporary art world has reflected the changes in various arenas of politics, economics, social justice, and the environment. Our artists, and the gallery itself, will continue to reflect these same things as we all continue to change. Let us embrace the future with strong hopes and good intentions.”  

  —Greg Kucera

"Contemporary art is meant to represent art of today. But it necessitates building on a foundation reinforced by the art that came before it. Carol and I have a similar task. Taking the legacy that is Greg Kucera Gallery, with all of its history, and using it to create something that reflects the art of our moment. We've enjoyed the gallery’s presence in Seattle and in the larger art world. We look forward to taking it into its next stages. 

“The world keeps changing and so will we." 

 — Jim Wilcox