MEMBERS OF GALLERY 621 WISH TO SHARE WITH YOU news of our temporary and imminent closing. Gallery 621 has been the Miracle on First Street. We have had a wonderful four years, thanks to the hard work of all our members, guests and sponsors. We want to thank everyone for their generous support and the enthusiasm we have received. Our existence has been underwritten by your generosity. You are not just on our Christmas List, you are on our Wish List forever. (Special thanks to Sponsors Renee Marie Jordan, Barbara Simpson and Kathleen Olson!)

With the presence of Gallery 621 and the Plein Air Gallery on First, other “artcentric” endeavors arrived, notably Benicia Bookshop and Jeanne Steinmann’s Benicia Magazine. Art Walk emerged, which brought new life and energy to downtown, inviting visitors to stroll “Down First,” enjoying the “artiness” and hospitality of galleries and merchants alike. All considered, a new “awareness,” a kind of Renaissance of the importance of our arts community — and the tune that is being played politically in this economy — happily emerged. It is important that G621 remains on First. (Thank you to our Mayor Elizabeth Patterson; Benicia Main Street; Benicia Arts and Culture Commission; Arts Benicia — all members of G621 belong to AB; and to the Downtown Benicia Alliance.)

We have developed an astounding “media presence”; on Facebook we had more than 8,000 hits on our recent “Transmigrational Ceramics Show,” hurdled SFGate and the Pink Section, Constant Contact and others; connected with The Benicia Herald, Benicia Magazine and Nob Hill Gazette; and became known to galleries: Patricia Sweetow, San Francisco; Richmond Art Center; BlueLine, Roseville; MarinMOCA; Transmission and Vessel galleries, Oakland; George Kresky, San Francisco; Pence Gallery and Natsoulas Galleries, Davis; to name a few.

We have gained respect in our community on many levels. The William Harsh Museum Gifting Fund has been an unusual event, with the community of Benicia coming together to establish recognition of one man’s work as an artist — the legacy and legend of William Harsh. G621 collaborated with Marilyn Bardet; art writer DeWitt Cheng; Vessel Gallery; Larnie Fox of Arts Benicia; and Keri Luiz and Marc Ethier of The Herald. And it was all accomplished thanks to the driving force of Renee Marie Jordan.

In recapping the history of G621, the collaboration with the emerging Benicia Museum of Art in hosting “Transmigrational Ceramics from the Corridor,” stands alone. Arts Benicia’s “Unbreakable” show, running concurrently, broke all previous attendance numbers for G621, while establishing an art museum for Benicia. Our little mini-MOA; Mayor Patterson; Diane Smikahl, director of Benicia Public Library; the Arts and Culture Commission; and representatives from Solano County Supervisor Linda Seifert and state Sen. Lois Wolk joined in a process to establish Lifetime Achievement Awards in the Arts. Manuel Neri and Robert Arneson received the honors. This show brought people from across the Bay Area and visiting notables from out of state. Benicia is recognized historically as a center for the arts.

It is a pleasure to count our chickens, one by one, and a blessing. We thank you for this opportunity — and thank you to all our supporters, clients, customers, friends, families and boosters! We hope to re-open soon.

Our members:

Founding, former and current members of Gallery 621: Susan Aulik, Jerrold and Nancy Ballaine, Nikki Basch Davis, Christine Benkert, Kari Brinck, Jules Campbell, Carol Dalton, Stan Dann, Hedi Desuyo, Pam Dixon, Mark Eanes, Cathryn Erickson, David Fitzgerald, Bea Guttman, Mike Kendall, Betsy Kluga, Phyllis Lasche, TaVee McAllister Lee, Suzanne M. Long, Jody Mattison, Joseph Mele, Bob Nelson, Kathy Oja, Sharon Payne Bolton, Chuck Potter, Lisa Reinertson, William Rushton, Jack Ruszel, Ruth Santee, Linda Stevenson-Dunlop, Toby Tover, Jerry Turner, Lee Wilder Snider and Diane Williams.

Founding members: Pam Dixon, chair, Ruth Santee, co-chair; Founding Advisory Circle: Susan Aulik, Jules Campbell, Judith Donaldson, Elaine Eisner, David Fitzgerald, TaVee McAllister Lee, Lani Mein, Chair “Culture Vultures”; special assistance from John Long and Jim Weaver. Sponsored by the Children’s Music and Art Foundation.

Pam Dixon is a Benicia artist and founder of Gallery 621, 621 First St. The gallery closes after Sunday and will relocate in January.

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