New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
After 20 years in business in downtown New Bedford, Arthur Moniz Gallery will be closing their doors permanently.
The name Arthur Moniz is synonymous with painted historic maritime coastal paintings. For 35 years the prolific artist prodigiously churned out creations that are familiar to anyone who has spent time in the city. Many city establishments and residents have his artwork hanging on their walls, and there are permanent collections at Fairhaven’s Millicent Library, Tosashimizu City and Tokyo in Japan. There is even a New Bedford High School Scholarship Fund for aspiring artists in his name.
Born in New Bedford in 1945, Moniz would graduate from New Bedford High School in 1962 before going on to study at the Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Massachusetts College of Art, both in Boston. According to the gallery’s website, Moniz’s style of painting was “…a combination of graphite drawing with transparent watercolor washes over the highly detailed renderings…depicting a wide range of interests, from Florida to Japan and of course the New England area.”
The family-operated gallery opened its doors in 2001 across from The Whaling Museum as a way to showcase Moniz’s artwork to residents living in New Bedford residents and beyond. Wife and business partner Cheryl, along with son and manager Brett, her daughter Kerran Soares who was in charge of bookkeeping and framing, all operated the business together until Arthur passed away in 2018. In November of 2021, the gallery celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Sadly, Cheryl Moniz shared the bad news with customers in a Jan. 18 Facebook post declaring that they were going to close their doors on February 28, though the website and Etsy page will continue to stay active for those looking for his artwork.
75-year old Cheryl cited her age, a financial hit in 2020 in which the pandemic forced them to close for many months, and a need to simplify her life a little more, as the reason for the decision.
Cheryl and Arthur Moniz. Facebook photo.
