Arts
A Gem in the Brookings Art District
Signatures Gallery features international and local Talent
Authentic. Personal. Valuable. A painting opens a window to your heart, transforming the everyday into the once-in-a-lifetime.
Signatures Gallery in Brookings was born from this understanding. Nestled in the heart of the Brookings Art District, the gallery’s doors usher visitors into a universe of exclusive artwork. Boasting an expansive 75-foot-wide display wall amidst the overall exhibition space, Signatures Gallery features work by international and local talents, including co-owners Joe Tonini and Sandy Bonney.
Combining world-class artists who represent such a diversity of style and media is rarely seen in one venue, let alone in a small coastal town such as Brookings. That’s why Signatures Gallery’s catalog of art is regarded as one of the best on the West Coast. Art enthusiasts will immediately recognize works by award-winning figurative painter Duncan Regehr; modern surfing chronicler Ken Auster; watercolor’s grand dame, Jan Kunz; and legendary movie poster artist Drew Struzman, who created the iconic images of “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars.”
Rounding out the gallery’s rich tapestry of paintings is whimsical pottery, framed driftwood “paintings,” powerful photography, and original art using recycled or repurposed wood.
If you’re an artist yourself, Signatures Gallery’s full service studio, JTo Prints, can help transform your art and photography into museum-quality prints called giclées. These prints won’t fade or allow colors to alter over time. When printed on the correct paper or canvas, they can last up to 200 years. “Some may even last longer than the original,” says Bonney. And because the studio specializes in large-format printing, you can create both indoor and outdoor murals.
To allow artwork to find its way into the hearts and homes of art lovers, Signatures Gallery offers lay-away, national and international shipping and, if you live in the area, home delivery and hanging services.
Don’t miss the Second Saturday Art Walk, featuring Signatures Gallery and other nearby businesses. This monthly event transforms Brookings into a destination for art aficionados.
If you’re tempted by a piece of art, keep in mind Bonney’s sage advice: Don’t buy a painting because it’s considered “good art”; buy it because you love it. “Good art is art that you like,” says the artist and gallery owner. “You are making an investment in something that will sooth your soul and give you enjoyment for years to come.”
words by Cara Denney