Each year the American Art Awards board selects the 25 Best Galleries And Museums In America.
HighlightHollywood.com reported in 2016: “The impressive AAA board chooses only one museum or gallery per state per year. Their selections are based on years established, industry reputation, online buzz, location, size, socially relevant exhibits, motivational and educational programs, represented artists as well as artist, client and visitor references.”
American Art Awards: “We consider thousands of the most established art venues from Maine to Hawaii. This year we awarded several museums with historical significance of 100+ years, some with over 100,000 annual visitors, some specializing in American acquisitions and others foreign antiquities. We’ve also selected some of the most reputable art galleries which specialize in contemporary works. In addition, we chose a few art facilities and centers dedicated to exhibiting the struggle and triumph of minorities and making an impact on their communities with inspiring educational programs.”
This year the American Art Awards selected Dana Gallery as Best Gallery Or Museum In Montana.
American Art Awards: "Dana Gallery opened in downtown Missoula over 20 years ago and has since expanded to 4000 square feet of space, making it the largest contemporary art gallery in Montana. They represent Montana and regional painters many of whom are internationally recognized. The styles of the artists represent vary from contemporary to traditional. This is an exceptional gallery, an exceptional space, an exceptional success story. The American Art Awards names Dana Gallery the Best Gallery In Montana and one of our 25 Best Galleries And Museums In America, 2017."
ART OF THE GALLERY:
The Dana Gallery proudly hosts countless shows, some recurring, like the annual Oil Painters of America exhibition, and the Meridian International Out West show, featuring 60+ contemporary Western Artists.
Each July, the gallery holds the popular "Paint Out" where twenty artists converge upon Missoula to paint plein air for a week capturing their own unique visions of Montana.
The gallery continues to receive critical acclaim:
Best Art Gallery / Dana Gallery / Readers' Pick / 2008 Best of Missoula
"The Dana Gallery caters to all types, making it our readers' top pick, once again."
HEART OF THE GALLERY:
Distinctly Montana - Arts & Culture news, Lois Schlyer: "... Montana’s largest gallery, which hosts shows of national importance and features an eclectic mix of local and regional artist “favorites,” a reading corner with an extensive collection of art books, and “The Vault” with art by renowned artists, such as Marc Chagall, Picasso, Tu Baxiong, Edward Curtis.
"Wondering what was the secret of a being a successful gallery owner, I asked Dudley Dana, who declared, “it is all about relationships.” He talks more about the artists as individuals than the art hanging on the wall. He delights in telling anecdotes about the artist and how he or she lives and works
"Dudley sometimes has to make compromises that are inherent in running a retail establishment, and he seems to take it in stride only because of the gratification he experiences from these personal relationships.
"Besides serving as a sort of fan club for its featured artists, the Dana hosts or participates in numerous events throughout each year, blending Gallery goals within the larger community and ensuring that the Gallery and its art remains accessible. Proceeds of special exhibits might benefit the Missoula Art Museum; an annual silent auction helps support the Humane Society."
Dana Gallery 246 North Higgins Avenue Missoula, MT 59802
Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 6:00 Saturday: 10:00 – 5:00 Sunday: 11:00 - 4:00 Google map (406) 721-3154 www.danagallery.com
www.AmericanArtAwards.com annually awards 25 museums and galleries in Spring, and with their critique in Autumn, awards 300 artists (painters, photographers, sculptors and digital artists.).
ALL 25 BEST GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS, AND INFO ON ENTERING AMERICAN ART AWARDS, HERE: http://www.americanartawards.com/25-best-state-galleries-2017/
BEST IN PENNSYLVANIA -- JAMES A. MICHENER ART MUSEUM. "... 40,000 sq. ft.... world-class group of paintings... permanent collection of more than 2,800 objects... accredited world-class facility... diverse program of educational activities... more than 135,000 annual visitors..." http://www.michenerartmuseum.org/
BEST IN LOUISIANA -- NEWCOMB ART MUSEUM. "... legacy of education, social enterprise, and artistic experience. Presenting inspirin exhibitions and programs that engage communities... founded in 1886... recognizes the contributions of women to the fields of art and design...." http://newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu/
BEST IN ILLINOIS -- HILLIGOSS GALLERIES. "Chicago’s Premier Art Gallery for 20+ years. The two-story 8,500 sq. ft. gallery is the epitome of a well-oiled machine... perfect marriage of artist, collector and setting... original paintings by the world's finest living artists, as well as fine prints by historic and 20th century masters." http://www.hilligossgalleriesil.com/
BEST IN NEVADA -- THE METROPOLITAN GALLERY OF LAS VEGAS ART MUSEUM. "... over 20,000 sq. ft.... intellectual excellence and leadership... dedicated to raising awareness... promotes an understanding and appreciation of art by making accessible to the public fine art exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events... local, regional and international artists... " http://mglv.org/
BEST IN KENTUCKY -- E&S GALLERY. "... professionalism, reputation, gallery space, exhibitions, artist roster and clientele... 11,000 sq. ft. gallery, custom framing and art publishing... African American art with an unmatched selection of artists, medium, subject matter, and genres. ... " http://www.eandsgallery.com/
BEST IN MISSISSIPPI -- OHR-O'KEEFE ART MUSEUM. "...just as Ohr (1857-1918) rose from devastating personal and professional loss to create an extraordinary body of work, so too the Ohr-O’Keefe has risen from Hurricane Katrina’s destruction... diverse cultural heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast... compelling exhibitions and educational experiences......" http://georgeohr.org/
BEST IN NEBRASKA -- KIECHEL FINE ART. "...few have the roster and esteem as Keichel... discerning eye... three story four gallery showplace... many of the top Midwestern Contemporary artists... " http://www.kiechelart.com/
BEST IN COLORADO -- COLORADO SPRINGS FINE ARTS CENTER. "132,000 sq. ft... one of the only multi-discipline arts institutions... For nearly 100 years, the top cultural attraction of the Pikes Peak region... world’s finest art... extraordinary visceral experiences..." http://www.csfineartscenter.org/
BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA -- SOUTH DAKOTA ART MUSEUM. "Since 1970... artistic legacy of South Dakota in all its diversity. Harvey Dunn, Native American art, Marghab Linens... 7,000 objects in its collection..." http://www.sdstate.edu/south-dakota-art-museum/
BEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA -- MARY MARTIN GALLERY OF FINE ART. "... excellence and steady expansion... museum quality art including bronze and stone sculptures, original oil and acrylic paintings, extraordinary watercolors... number one tourist destination in America... on par with Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive and NY’s Fifth Avenue..." http://www.marymartinart.com/
BEST IN UTAH -- MEYER GALLERY. "... over 50 years, a contemporary art icon in Utah. The building (former First National Bank of Utah) is listed with the National Register of Historic Places and on the Park City Museum's Historic district tour. Featuring both representational and abstract works... " ttps://www.meyergallery.com/
BEST IN NEW MEXICO -- BLUE RAIN GALLERY. "...Santa Fe's exceptional exhibitor of all factions of art... pieces from noted glass artisans to bronze sculptures and wood sculptures to two-dimensional works, artisans contribute elegant to elemental, neo-traditional to transcendental, neo-tribal to contemporary Native American... " http://blueraingallery.com/
BEST IN MISSOURI -- UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI MUSEUM OF ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY. "...Stunning collections across a wide range of cultures... Greek, Roman, Near Eastern art works, ancient Egypt, Byzantium, Asian, African, Ancient Americas, and Oceanic cultures... important collections in European and American art from the fifteenth century to the present... " https://maa.missouri.edu/
BEST IN CALIFORNIA -- CODA GALLERY. "A Palm Dessert landmark for thirty years, this contemporary El Paseo gallery has a vast collection of paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, and ceramic works by a wide range of established, mid-career, and emerging artists..." http://www.codagallery.com/
BEST IN OREGON -- ROGER YOST GALLERY. "Located in a 1927 art deco tower in the heart of Downtown Salem, Oregon’s capital city... more than 7500 sq. ft.. of exhibit space featuring paintings and sculpture from Lithuania, The Czech Republic, Vietnam, France, Germany, Argentina, Russia, Spain, UK, Budapest and Hollywood. A second location coastal version in Newport..." http://www.rogeryostgallery.com/
BEST IN ARIZONA -- BENTLEY GALLERY. "For 30+ years, Bentley Gallery in Phoenix has been synonymous with contemporary painting and sculpture in the Southwestern U.S.... mid-career and museum-collected artists from the states and Europe, as well as ancient art and artifacts... Chinese bi and cong from the Neolithic period co-exist seamlessly with contemporary works..." http://www.bentleygallery.com/
BEST IN MAINE -- PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART. "Cultural heart of Portland... significant holdings of American, European, and contemporary art, as well as iconic works from Maine... a steadfast commitment to their community and region... their high level of attention to the complexity of art and history exemplifies respect for artwork and art makers..." http://www.portlandmuseum.org/
BEST IN CONNECTICUT -- BRUCE MUSEUM. "113 years... high on a hill overlooking Greenwich Harbor... nearly 15,000 objects: paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, multimedia compositions... accreditation from the American Association of Museums, an honor granted to fewer than 5% of all museums. Voted the best museum in Fairfield County... " https://brucemuseum.org/
BEST IN FLORIDA -- ART FUSION GALLERIES. "8,000 sq. ft.... in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood Art District... preeminent gallery in Miami for integrating the best of Emerging to Mid-Career Contemporary artists... represents over 1,000... " http://www.artfusiongalleries.com/
BEST IN INDIANA -- HAAN MANSION MUSEUM OF INDIANA ART. "Holds the most extensive Indiana art collection in the US, including paintings from the Hoosier Group and Brown County Art Colony. Specializing in major oils, over 100 artists are represented. Haan is a true find; a rare hospitable time-capsule cradling a precious past." http://haanmuseum.org/
BEST IN VIRGINIA -- WILLIAMSBURG ART GALLERY. "Located on Merchants Square along Duke of Gloucester Street in beautiful downtown Williamsburg, Virginia... Historic Triangle... a natural and inspiring home for art, dedicated to showcasing the beauty of the region as depicted by local as well as international artists, including exceptional work of Russian modern masters... a crossroads for art." http://www.wmbgartgallery.com/
BEST IN GEORGIA -- HATHAWAY CONTEMPORARY GALLERY. "A premier contemporary art gallery located on the Westside of Atlanta. They give space to the cutting-edge artists of today to express creative voice and explore societal issues... committed to building a supportive, sustaining community for the arts." http://www.hathawaygallery.com/
BEST IN MONTANA -- DANA GALLERY. "4000 sq. ft. of space, making it the largest contemporary art gallery in Montana. Excellent 20+ year reputation. They represent Montana and regional painters many of whom are internationally recognized..." http://danagallery.com/
BEST IN NEW JERSEY -- EVALYN DUNN GALLERY. "It is very rare to find a gallery so successful that it is approaching it’s 60th year... also features the finest 20th Century American and European art..." http://www.evalyndunnsgallery.com/
BEST IN HAWAII -- LIK LAHAINA, LIK WAIKIKI. "Peter Lik has 12 exceptional gallery locations and is the most successful photographer in the world... sold upwards of $500 million of artwork... The 2014 sale of his B&W photo titled “Phantom” for $6,500,000.00 is the highest sum ever paid in its genre. Lik’s works make up four of the top 20 most expensive photographs ever sold." http://www.lik.com/