Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernard Pucker.
Bernard, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
50 years ago, we found ourselves presented with a decision: to continue with a career in academia or push ahead with our commitment to Art. We lived in a split-level home in Lexington, Massachusetts and exhibited a traveling collection of Israeli Modern Master artwork around North America. Sue organized the connections for these exhibitions and I was the mat maker, framer, crater, and spokesperson for the collections. I had also just successfully completed my oral exams for a doctorate in Modern Jewish History at Brandeis University. To finish the thesis or open a fine art gallery in Boston? That was the question. Five decades later, we clearly decided to devote our lives to sharing a wide range of art, which has informed and uplifted our spirits.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of our largest challenges was making the decision to move the Gallery. We spent the better part of our 50 years at 171 Newbury Street. In 2014 we made the decision to sell the building and had to decide where our next steps would lead us. Sue and I knew that we did not want to close the Gallery, yet choosing our new location was a difficult decision. Should we move the Gallery, like many others, to the SoWa district on Harrison Street; or maintain our roots on Newbury Street?
We chose the latter and moved two blocks over to the third floor of 240 Newbury. It took the help of our dedicated staff and family to move our 7,000+ inventory the two blocks. We now are blessed with a beautiful space to share works of our 51 artists. While we had previously been on 5 floors, we now are displayed throughout one floor, making the Gallery experience much more cohesive.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pucker Gallery – what should we know?
From our beginnings with the art of Israel, aka Modern Masters of Israeli Art, to 20th Century masters (Chagall, Picasso, Matisse) to artists from New England and around the globe and eventually in 1982, to ceramics.
We proudly represent over 50 artists in almost any medium one could imagine. This provides us with the extraordinary opportunity to not only sell art but to educate about art. We encourage visitors to explore the collection with one of our staff members always on hand to share our artists’ unique backgrounds. With each exhibition opening, we encourage a discourse with the featured artist and our beloved patrons through Gallery talks, receptions, and workshops.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
At our very beginnings, our sole source was the Safrai Art Gallery of Jerusalem. Dov and Shoshana Safrai trusted and encouraged us to open our Gallery. They had befriended us in 1959 – 60 when we lived in Jerusalem during our first year of marriage on Rehov Salant in Jerusalem. During that year, Sue’s Aunt SaidyE gifted us $300 designated for the purchase of Israeli art.
Rabbi Gershon Hadas of Kansas City, MO taught us the commitment to create a place of beauty and creativity for prayer. We were blessed to have known and worked with Brother Thomas for more than 23 years. He encouraged each of us to open doors and walk through them. His faith gave us the courage to learn, to grow and to be the best we could. The Gallery’s success is due largely to the support of our family, friends, staff, patrons, artists, clients, and art lovers.
Contact Info:
- Address: 240 Newbury Street
floor 3 Boston, MA 02116 - Website: https://www.puckergallery.com
- Phone: 617-267-9473
- Email: contactus@puckergallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puckergallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puckergallery/
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