R.I.P. Paulina Miller Gallery. The upscale art space inside the historic Charles E. Palen House at Roosevelt and First streets in downtown Phoenix quietly stopped hosting monthly exhibits in mid-2010, after more than 10 years of showcasing local and national art.
No one seemed to notice, in part because the building continued to host private parties and events -- until a giant For Lease placard recently went up in front of the historic stucco building.
Now locals are wondering what happened to Paulina Miller.
The upscale, contemporary art gallery was such a regular feature at Artlink's monthly First Friday Artwalk that you'd think it would've hit the art community harder when the venue went under; It was the lone Arizona institution chosen for The American Art Awards' 2010 Prestigious Hall Of Galleries.
Maybe 2010 was just a bad year for Miller. Though she juried several area exhibitions last year, Miller suffered a setback when artist Kurt von Behrmann accused her of holding several of his works "hostage" after borrowing them for a display at the Phoenix Sheraton hotel. (AZFamily's 3 On Your Side intervened and the paintings were returned.)
The tumultuous economy could also be a factor in the gallery's demise. But even more troubling is that an art space that had been around since 2000 -- practically making it a dinosaur in Phoenix years -- disappeared unnoticed.
Note: We have several calls into Paulina Miller and the Paulina Miller Gallery. Stay tuned to Jackalope Ranch for updates ...
