The Sporting Gallery Celebrates 45 Years in Middleburg

By Lauren R. Giannini

The Sporting Gallery of Middleburg celebrates 45 years of sporting art from October 4th to November 1st, with a special exhibition that also commemorates the memory and legacy of Gordon Barton, founder of the unique gallery. His daughter Elizabeth Barton Dubenitz and her husband Gregory Dubenitz have carried on Barton’s tradition as purveyors of first class original sporting art, both older and contemporary, as well as quality prints and sculpture.

“A lot has changed in the art market in 45 years – fine quality antique paintings were plentiful in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s and therefore, much more obtainable,” says Elizabeth. “Because of that, in the early 1980’s we started to focus our attention on fine early 20th century English artists like Lionel Edwards, Michael Lyne and, of course, Sir Alfred Munnings.
“We also specialized in the work of well-known American sporting artists Paul Brown and Franklin B. Voss,” she adds. “Right now we have three Voss and a Brown. I’m constantly amazed at the number of estates that we are called in to disburse mainly because the majority of the art was originally purchased from our Gallery. Our distinctive gallery label is still on the back of each painting.”

Over the years the Sporting Gallery has always represented the finest contemporary artists. Today, the gallery shows the work of several of the best-known artists in the sporting and wildlife genres, including Mark Eberhard, Valerie Hinz, Lanford Monroe and Peter Sculthorpe.
“Our anniversary exhibition, which runs until November 1, will feature works by Lyne, Brown, Voss, Monroe and Eberhard,” says Elizabeth. “As part of our 45th celebration, we’re offering informal discussions and slide presentations with still life artist James Plumb and wild life painter Mark Eberhard on October 25. We think it’s a great opportunity for people to meet and mingle with two artists whose works are already in museums.”

Later in the autumn, the works of Valerie Hinz will be highlighted in her fourth one-woman show that runs November 7-24. The Sporting Gallery’s annual Christmas Exhibition, November 29 - December 23, features small paintings and sculpture affordably priced for holiday giving.

“We’ve remained pretty true to ourselves,” admits Elizabeth. “It’s tough sometimes to remain focused on what we do best, but there’s no doubt in my mind that my father made the right decision to open a gallery in hunt country. I can’t imagine living or working anywhere else.”
Gordon Barton’s smiling.

Lady Sidesaddle by Franklin B. Voss, oil on canvas, 28” x 36” – one of many outstanding examples of sporting art offered during The Sporting Gallery’s 45th anniversary exhibition.

For more information, visit www.sportinggallery.com or call (540) 687-6447. To attend either artist presentation on October 25, please RSVP before October 15: your contribution of $15 per session will benefit the Middleburg Humane Society.