Passion for fine art, furniture compels popular Grand Rapids designer to open unusual gallery

Deborah Johnson Wood

Paula S. Fogarty's undying passion for fine art, furniture and design has driven her to create an unusual new gallery where she marries Grand Rapids-made vintage furniture with mid-century modern pieces and pulls it all together with fine art by world-renowned artists.

The new endeavor? Fogarty Collection, 560 5th Street NW, Suite 301.

Fogarty owns Paula Scott Unlimited (her middle name is Scott), a product design, development and marketing firm at the same address. But with a degree in Art History, the former president of Kindel Furniture felt a need to combine her passions under one roof. Peter Jacob, designer and owner of Profile Peter Jacob, is a collaborator in the endeavor.

Vintage furniture from Baker, Widdicomb, Sligh, and, of course, Kindel, will head the list of home furnishings. The Collection features the paintings, sculpture and bronzes of eleven renowned artists from Michigan, New York, New Hampshire and elsewhere, including Detroit's Janice Trimpe and local sculptor Carlos Aceves.

"It's time to bring compelling art to the area," Fogarty says. "These artists have real compelling subject matter and execution that will appeal to people who are sensitized to the arts, especially this community right now with ArtPrize being here."

"I'm doing this because I can't help myself," Fogarty says, followed by a hearty laugh. "It was inevitable that at some point I would parlay my passion for art and furniture into some kind of a showroom. The atmosphere is one of a highly collected and eclectic mix of what I would call 'best of kind' objects, whether contemporary or antiques."

Fogarty Collection's grand opening on September 22 featured the five ArtPrize artists who will call the venue "home" during ArtPrize 2010. The Collection will be open every day during ArtPrize hours. After ArtPrize, the hours will be Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends by appointment.

Source: Paula S. Fogarty, Fogarty Collection and Paula Scott Unlimited

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].