Benko Art Gallery Closing Party

Benko Art Gallery is closing its physical gallery doors and is holding a Closing Party on February 20 starting at 4:00 p.m. Come celebrate and thank owner-directors John Benko, Brigid O'Connor, Benko Art Gallery Artists, and all who worked, frolicked, found their inspiration, and shared their passion at what is arguably the most important art gallery of the last five years. Benko Art Gallery has consistently brought the community together in ways like no other space in South Tahoe. Even though closing they will continue to offer art through its expanded website at BenkoArtGallery.com.

Benko Art Gallery opened in April of 2016. Not only did this gallery introduce us to the creative work of artist-owner, John Benko - which ranged from fine art painting to stylized graphic-street art inspired "collabs," often of the multi-media type, to hand-crafted re-claimed wood productions - the gallery's commitment to local art was evidenced by showcasing upwards of 40 artists at a time, many of whom had never exhibited in a commercial gallery before. During our first visit in 2016 we were introduced to the work of Steve Southerland, Chelsea Kosta, Jake Gillispie, Sam Ruderman, Iggy Strbac, Jason Woodcock, Dylan Warren, and Dave Justice.

If there was an overriding theme for this eclectic gallery, it was inclusivity. Not only did John Benko share this space with virtually every local working artist that asked, he allowed Make Tahoe to host the "Make Tahoe Quantum" emerging artist exhibits, was there for the community from the very beginning of the Tahoe Art Walk, was the first to host the "Love is a National Treasure Tahoe Pride Art Show", and lent his space for fundraiser after fundraiser, like the Carr Fire Relief fundraiser and the annual B4BC (Boarding for Breast Cancer) events coordinated by Alex Von Maddox. Benko Art Gallery art shows were, well, art shows added with great music, food, drinks, games, raffles, live painting and performance, and people.

Benko Art Gallery is where we first discovered the then 16 year old Miki Rae, performing solo with her uniquely beautiful voice, self-penned lyrics belying her age, and her trusty ukulele at hand. We also were introduced to the artistry of Featherpistol - graceful, costumed, and mesmerizing on a dancer's pole, giving us a healthy dose of our sense of place in the universe. Both Featherpistol, Miki Rae, Dave Justice, Dylan Warren, and our first 'quantum" exhibiting artist, Shirley Hackett would go on to be nominated for Tahoe Arts Alliance Awards.

To say this is a time of transition would be all too obvious. The closing of the Benko Art Gallery comes on the heels of the incredible loss of Alex Von Maddox, who passed away suddenly at the end of 2020. It is definitely a time to reflect and a time to figure out what to do next. I've heard different artists at the gallery talk about how they knew when their painting was finished. Answers varied. Sometimes there was a feeling the painting was done. Sometimes they weren't exactly sure and just went about making a command decision that it was completed. Sometimes they knew the process would never be over. They just had to let go. There was no avoiding the fact that it was time to begin a new work.

Express yourself, your love for art, and appreciation for your very own community - the one you created. Benko Art Gallery is located at 3979 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe. Stop by this final weekend and see how far we've come - thanks to people and places like John Benko, Benko Art Gallery, and you.