Sarah Cunningham, proprietor of Walker-Cunningham Fine Art, a private art consultancy and brokerage firm, recently introduced artist Emmet Duggan’s newest work, Birdhouse Summit, to friends, neighbors, and art enthusiasts at a reception in her CWE home. Cunningham and the artist (above) have been friends since they met years ago in Boston.
The Cunningham family moved from Boston to St. Louis in 2015, when David Cunningham joined the faculty at W.U. as one of the inaugural hires in the re-formed Sociology Department. Sarah, who has been an art dealer for 19 years (she got her start on Newbury Street in Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood), quickly became active in the community, joining the boards of the Central West End Association and the Westminster Place Street Association. She also volunteers at New City School.
Examples of Duggan’s whimsical surrealist paintings include a 24 x 44″ painting, Cody, above, and 32 x 24″ Wake, below. More photographs of Duggan’s Birdhouse Summit paintings can be found on the website.
Duggan, who now lives, paints, and teaches in Dierks, Arkansas, took a circuitous route to get there having lived previously in Boston, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. You’ll be charmed, as I was, by Duggan’s description of how Birdhouse Summit came to be (see artist statement here) :
…”These paintings are what I imagined at a time in my life when I needed to be rescued, and now that I thrive again they are a welcomed companion.” Duggan also mentions another welcomed companion in his statement, the delightful Brandy Lynn, who was at the CWE opening but declined to be photographed.
Some of the guests who stopped by for the opening, above.
Photo courtesy of Walker-Cunningham website
While in Boston Sarah Cunningham became the owner of Walker-Cunningham Fine Art when her mentor of 8 years, Alfred Walker (above), retired. Walker continues his association as a consultant. In a 2012 interview on The Everygirl website Cunningham talks about a day in the life of a gallery owner, and how she balances work and family life, which she continues to do now that she’s based in the Central West End.
When asked if it was difficult to move Walker-Cunningham to St. Louis, Cunningham replied. “It was exciting and challenging at the same time. I’m building relationships here and beginning to establish myself professionally. I continue to work with my East Coast clients, which include private collectors, museums and other institutions, traveling east a couple of times a year, or keeping in touch remotely.”
Those clients include two East Coast libraries with major art collections, and corporations who are acquiring art for their collections. She also works with people who are new to collecting, interior designers, and she has worked with set designers sourcing paintings for major motion pictures. Her Boston gallery was the source for paintings seen in Mona Lisa Smiles and Bride Wars.
For a complete list of Walker-Cunningham’s services, visit the website.
And for more information or to view Emmet Duggan’s art, which remains on view until this Friday, October 19, contact Sarah Cunningham: [email protected] or (617) 448-1428.
Cunningham’s plans for the future include the possibility of another exhibition at home next spring.