"I hate golf," JW Wilson plainly says from his corner office overlooking the Trinity River. "I started visiting museums while my buddies were at the course. Her husband hates it too, but I hadn't met him yet."
JW points to Misty Locke, his business partner and close friend. Misty's long brown hair is tousled to one side as she lounges casually in a caramel-colored leather chair.
"I remember going to all three major Fort Worth museums in a row, and I was really paying attention that day, studying each piece," he says. "That began my nearly 25-year obsession with art."
The entire office proves it, with hallways showcasing works by John Holt Smith, Marshall Harris, JT Grant, and Richard Thompson. A painting by Billy Hassell hangs next to JW's chair, one of his favorites. The carefully curated collection is from the William Campbell Gallery, the business he shares with Misty, his wife Andrea, Misty's husband Tim, and their friends Jadz Pate and Clayton Snodgrass, since 2019 when they swooped in to continue the space's legacy as a staple of Fort Worth's art scene.
Originally founded by Bill and Pam Campbell, the unique cottage-like gallery off Byers Avenue built its reputation early on as a contemporary art exhibit. Today, with the new owners, the gallery has expanded, and if JW's office is any indication, the current inventory is expansive.
Since 1974, Bill used the gallery to champion emerging and established artists. The former TCU art student and veteran built a network of loyal patrons and creatives, calling their three-way relationship a partnership where everyone understood an expectation. The gallery showcased the highest quality works with exhibits speaking to seasoned collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Now nearly 80 years old, Bill and Pam have retired but remain close with JW and Misty, the new owners leaning on their mentorship to maintain the gallery's ethos a half-century later.
"We are continuing their legacy but evolving it, too," Misty says. "They sold it to us to continue the growth, and we are expanding the art and the artists we show."
A lot has changed in 50 years. Misty stresses growth because the gallery either evolves or dies. The art world is different now in Fort Worth and worldwide. JW observes that digital platforms make the world smaller but open Pandora's box, forcing businesses to adapt or fade into obscurity.
"The challenge for any gallery anywhere is online," he says. "Brick-and-mortar galleries aren't dying but suffering because of the internet."
Many of their artists promote themselves through Instagram, but both owners agree the site is a sorry replacement for an in-person experience.
"Art is a deeply personal thing," he continues. "It's hard to know its value to you if you aren't in front of it assessing the materials, the texture, and the artist's style."
Misty says galleries also suffer from a commoditized art world flooded with reprints. She often assumes an educator role, explaining craftsmanship to prospective clients and buyers.
"True art doesn't have to be inaccessible or expensive," she says. "But people need to understand the craftsmanship, the time, and the narrative behind each work. The artist's story and the journey the piece takes to get to us assigns its value."
However, it is not always feasible to visit the gallery in person, and for that, digital comes in handy. Misty travels internationally to find artists and buyers to grow the gallery's footprint and keep their exhibits fresh.
"They can't reasonably just pop in from Korea," laughs JW. "But our reputation for quality helps in those situations."
More talent means more space, leading the partners to open another showroom at 217 Foch Street. The new space showcases a broader range of pieces from local talents like contemporary oil painter Julie Lazarus, Beverly Penn, known for her cast-bronze sculptures, and Victoria Gonzales, whose works include acrylic, thread, and pastels. The blend of new artists and buyers, locally and internationally, keeps the gallery fresh, with JW and Misty remaining mindful that artists' careers hinge on the success of galleries like theirs, a role they take seriously.
"Every day, an artist is forced to give up the dream." JW's eyes narrow at the thought. "Not because they lack talent. That's why we call it a partnership; they need us, and we need them, and I can't imagine a world without art. It makes you think; it makes you feel. What is this all for if that isn't in our lives?"
Word-of-mouth continues to be a powerful tool for the gallery, especially in a tight-knit community like Fort Worth, so Misty encourages off-the-street guests without expectation.
"We appreciate people coming to our events, even if they don't buy anything," says JW. "Some people come just to see art, eat food, and drink wine. And we love them for it."
At its core, the gallery celebrates art, community, and accessibility.
"We want to make a difference in the art community, both here in Fort Worth and beyond," Misty says. "Come visit us because the connection you feel with something might surprise you; we've seen it change people's lives."
Article by Hannah Barricks
Photography by Macka Photography
Originally published in West Fort Worth Lifestyle