Sorrel Sky Is Celebrating Its 20th Year!

Sorrel Sky Gallery turns twenty this year and we couldn’t be more excited! Keep reading to learn more about our history, and the story behind the name. Be sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming celebration of this achievement on June 3, from 5-7:30 pm, at 828 Main Ave, Durango, Colorado. All of the gallery’s artists who are able to attend will join us for an evening of fond reminiscing over past years and keen anticipation for the years to come. Among those we expect to see are painters Kevin Red Star, Edward Aldrich, Stephen Day, Thom Ross, and Jim Rey; sculptors Star Liana York and Gerald Balciar; Navajo jeweler Ray Tracey; and jeweler Ben Nighthorse, the former U.S. senator from Colorado, and many more.

SORREL SKY’S 20 YEAR HISTORY

Sorrel Sky Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico — Sorrel Sky Gallery in Durango, Colorado

For two decades, Shanan Campbell has been the driving force behind Sorrel Sky. As the daughter of award-winning artist, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, she was immersed in the art world from an early age. Whether playing in her father’s studio or attending shows with him across the country, she’s been surrounded by art and artists her entire life. During those earlier years, she quickly realized that her true passion and love in the art world is the business of art. After working for the Smithsonian, the Franklin Mint, and managing several successful galleries, Shanan opened Sorrel Sky Gallery on historic Main Ave in Durango, Colorado on April 5, 2002. She and her team of art advisors represent artists with passion and a finely honed acumen for art and business, as well as a “Let’s make that happen” attitude. The gallery’s goal from the start has been to establish meaningful connections between the artists it represents and the clients it serves. This progressive, long-term outlook has translated into continued growth and expansion.

As the Durango gallery grew, a new home was needed and in 2011 Sorrel Sky Durango relocated half a block south to the restored Hogan’s building. After some minor modernizations to the Elaine Horwitch building on the historic Plaza, Sorrel Sky Santa Fe opened in 2014. Always thinking of the future, Shanan is currently considering various properties for a third location.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sorrel (sawr–uhl) refers to the reddish coat color of a horse and is a term that is usually synonymous with chestnut. One of the most common coat colors in horses, shading varies from reddish-gold to chocolate or deep burgundy, with similar or lighter mane and tail.

Through innovative thinking and a willingness to adapt, Sorrel Sky has stayed at the forefront of an ever-changing market, while successfully navigating a variety of newsworthy situations. These include: surviving the impact of the Missionary Ridge fires on many Durango businesses in the summer of 2002, as well as the economic recession of 2008-2009; recovering stolen jewelry by Ben Nighthorse after an armed robbery; being among the first in the fine art world to embrace eCommerce, making its artwork available to a worldwide audience; actively using social media to stay connected with a broad client base; understanding the value of accepting cryptocurrency (starting two months earlier than Sotheby’s); adapting to the interests of collectors and art lovers by adding several new artists during the past two unusual years; launching its own NFT marketplace. (see Timeline below)

DID YOU KNOW?

The name Sorrel Sky was chosen by owner Shanan Campbell to capture the Western essence of the gallery while also connecting with something personal. Growing up riding and showing Quarter horses, Shanan had a special relationship with one horse in particular. Missy, a sorrel mare. Her coloring reminded Shanan of the beautiful reddish skies of Colorado and New Mexico.

This positive, forward-thinking approach has ensured a thriving environment that now supports over 100 artists and a dynamic team of 15 service-minded professionals. As the gallery looks to the future, it will continue to stay attuned to art collectors and art lovers, while holding to the core belief that creating and establishing, meaningful connections and relationships are essential to success.