Packard & Reath Gallery originally opened as the Edward Carter Gallery. I first discovered it (pre-opening) while walking my dog. I had been collecting black and white photography for years and I was very excited to see a gallery dedicated to photography in my little town. I had just moved here and I wasn’t at all sure what I would find.
I met Sally Packard and Dinah Reath as they were starting on the road to becoming discriminate and knowledgeable art dealers. Their role in the town became more than a gallery. They educated, entertained and promoted some really good and a surprising amount of great photographers who were local, national and international. Eventually they stepped out on their own and became Packard and Reath Gallery
Their “salon” at home, entertaining out-of-town artists, were on par probably with Gertrude Stein. Their opening parties were always elbow to elbow with the most artistic, the smartest and the most stylish, fabulous people. I met most of the people I now know in Lewes.
When the market took a tumble, buying art became a difficult investment for most people. Sally and Dinah despite difficult times, continued to work passionately to keep the gallery open.
Recently I saw Dinah and she quietly told me that they had to close the gallery. I hadn’t known about it and I figured if I didn’t a lot of other people didn’t.
So Sally and Dinah, here’s to those great years, the wonderful artists you brought to Lewes, the energy you brought to the local and not so local art scene, the great parties and dinners and the support you gave to struggling photographers.
Fortunately, I have a lot of your photographs on my walls to enjoy and remind me of those wonderful years. We will all really miss you.
Susan Pomerantz
Ocean Atlantic Sotheby's International Realty, Lewes
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