Ana Montoya’s life took a dramatic turn thirteen years ago whena car accident almost cut it short. “I realized right then that lifeis precious and we are not to waste a moment of it. It made me see Iwas doing something I was not passionate about and it completelychanged the direction I was taking.” Her hidden passion had alwaysbeen to paint, and also to promote the work of other artists. ThusAnArte Gallery was birthed.
Today artists from all over the state clamor to be representedby Ana Montoya. “She has a great instinct for art,” says one of herstalwart supporters, and local artist, Lewis Smith. “Her unerringability to present an artist’s work to the correct buyer or collector isalmost uncanny.” Smith had worked with other local gallery ownersover the years, but was persuaded by friend and fellow artist,Steven DaLuz to move to Montoya’s gallery. “She has done more topromote my work in the year I have beenwith her than some other gallery ownershave ever done in the years I’d been withthem.”
Steven DaLuz, a highly successful artist,whose works are represented in 17states and several foreign countries, echoesSmith’s sentiments. “Ana is the hardestworking gallery dealer I know. She does amagnificent job of making sure your workis seen by a diverse group of people.”
A self–effacing and beautiful Montoyajust smiles at the laudatory words. Her galleryhas met with great success, and she isvery pleased with the response from privatecollectors, corporations, museums,and individuals towards the works sheshows in the gallery. Montoya confessesshe has a soft spot for artists. “We have somuch great talent here in San Antonio andunfortunately the artists feel they are under–represented in other venues in the city.I want my gallery to be a place where theycan exhibit — and sell — their best pieces.”She recalls what got her thinking aboutcreating a gallery in the first place. “I hadgone back to school after my accident, andstudied art and design. I was surroundedby artists who had great work and evenmore potential, but had absolutely no representation.I decided to host an art show in my homefor one of my friends. The show was a resounding success, and bythe end of the weekend all of his art was sold!” This was the onlynudge she needed to move from being only an artist, to being bothan artist and a gallery owner.
When asked how she chooses which artists to feature, she answersfrankly, “If I am attracted to the work, then chances are I willaccept it. I may not agree with the concept of the work, I may noteven like the medium used very much, but if it ‘speaks’ to me onsome level, then I know it will work.”
Montoya has noticed a change in the trend of buying art in thelast few years. “More couples want to buy and collect original artpieces. They are not interested in buying reproductions of famouspaintings, no matter how well–done the reproduction is.” This trendworks in her favor, and with her infallible eye for artwork that willcatch the fancy of clients, she has helped many relatively new orunknown artists become household names.
Some artists need no introduction, Bettie Ward among them.“But I just love Ana,” Ward confesses. “She persuaded me to showmy work at her gallery, and she’s done a great job marketing andselling my pieces.” Bettie’s work includes more than the paintingsshe has done over the last 25 years. She also features a whole bodyof work of embroidery that Montoya has promoted. Just recentlyan anonymous collector purchased one of Bettie’s pieces and thendonated it to the San Antonio Museum of Art.
Michael Wayne is another success story in the art world. “Istarted working with Ana in 2000. She is so different from othergallery owners. She gets out and meets people. When I’m donepainting for the day I can go to bed knowing that she is at a cocktailparty, or opening, promoting her artists.” Wayne confesses therewas a time when he would practically give his art away. “Those daysare long gone,” he chuckles. “There is no starving artist about methese days! And I owe it in large part to Ana’s dedication.”
One consultant who works closely with Montoya, is MagdalenaGaona. Magdalena has known Ana for manyyears. “I collaborate with Ana on promotingthe gallery and its artists among a broaderspectrum of clients, with an emphasis onsecuring art installations at new urban developmentsin the city, from high rise condominiums,lofts, spas, restaurants and bars,etc. Our goal is to also promote the gallery inother markets with an interest in future promotionaland special event opportunities inMiami and New York.” Gaona also reps anexclusive line of Italian lighting LA MURRINAat the gallery. La Murrina lighting canbe found in some of the top bars and hotelsfrom the around the world.
Each artist featured at AnArte Galleryhas a different area of expertise. “Thatis why I love working with them,” says Montoya.Sky Patterson, one of the younger artiststo be shown in AnArte Gallery lovesAna’s attention to detail when it comes toexhibiting art pieces. This talented San Antonionative’s unique style is displayed toits best advantage in the natural light thatsuffuses the gallery. Lewis, Patterson andDaLuz will be featured in the gallery in Novemberwith an art show that features piecesthat a direct response to how our lives havechanged since 9–11.
Montoya is quick to give credit wherecredit is due. “I couldn’t run this gallery withoutthe help of my assistants especially Elvia Rubiola.”Elvia is a spry 81–year old who met Montoya approximately a decadeago when they both worked for Saks 5th Avenue. “We justclicked and when Ana opened her gallery it was easy for me tocome in and help her.” Rubiola ensures the gallery runs smoothly.“Ana and I both love art. It’s a family oriented effort and we enjoyworking together.”
Another important person in Montoya’s life is her son Louis.“He just turned 18, he is creative like me, but he is a musician, andhe’s a senior in high school. He helps me set up shows, and positionthe paintings just right — he is wonderful!”
As the sunset fades into dusk, the paintings that line all thewalls in the gallery seem to take on a different aspect. As Ana looksaround at her pride and joy, and at all the work, a smile plays acrossher delicate features. Words are not needed — one look at her radiantface, and one can tell she is exactly where she belongs. AnArteis as much a part of her, as she is of it — and she wouldn’t have it anyother way.
