Somerhill Gallery
Somerhill Gallery was a contemporary art gallery based in Durham, North Carolina owned by Joseph D. Rowand. Founded in 1972, the gallery shut its doors due to bankruptcy and failure to pay its artists in 2010. Abstract and representational artwork in all visual disciplines was on display in the gallery's setting. Somerhill featured fine art glass and jewelry, a contemporary photography gallery, an open-air glass atrium which stood at the center of the main salon where featured exhibitions were shown. The gallery also featured white oak floors, fabric walls and over 40 skylights. Exhibited artists include Herb Jackson, Maud Gatewood, John Beerman, Claude Howell, Carol Bechtel, and Peter Butler. History 1972-1989 Somerhill Gallery was founded in April 1972 by Joseph Rowand. Its first location was in a small shopping center called "StrawValley" between the cities of Durham, NC and Chapel Hill, NC. The gallery expanded three times in this location. 1989-2008 Somerhill Gallery moved to 1800 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1989. It was located in the Eastgate Shopping Center and built by architect Phil Szostak. The gallery stayed in this location for over 18 years. During this time they employed Howard Franklin. Not the whole