The Candy Store Gallery (from 1962 to 1992) introduced many important artists and styles of art, and was a leading showcase for the

Funk art Funk art is an American art movement that was a reaction against the nonobjectivity of abstract expressionism. An anti-establishment movement, Funk art brought figuration back as subject matter in painting again rather than limiting itself to ...

ists of

Northern California Northern California (commonly shortened to NorCal) is a geocultural region that comprises the northern portion of the U.S. state of California, spanning the northernmost 48 of the state's List of counties in California, 58 counties. Northern Ca ...

, United States.

History

Located in a commercial building at 605 Sutter Street in downtown

Folsom, California Folsom is a city in Sacramento County, California, United States. The population was 80,454 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, up from 72,203 residents at the 2010 United States census, 2010 census. History The Nisenan tribe of Ind ...

, the Candy Store Gallery previously served as a library and candy store, before becoming the personal residence of Adeliza McHugh, who founded the gallery in order to showcase the works of regional artists whom she admired. Despite having no formal art background, McHugh was instrumental in introducing many artists that would go on to achieve national, and in some cases, international reputations including James Albertson,

Robert Arneson Robert Carston Arneson (September 4, 1930 – November 2, 1992) was an American sculptor and professor of ceramics in the Art department at University of California, Davis for nearly three decades. Early life and education Robert Carston Arnes ...

Clayton Bailey Clayton George Bailey (March 9, 1939 – June 6, 2020), was an American artist who worked primarily in the mediums of ceramic and metal sculpture. Early life and education Clayton George Bailey was born on March 9, 1939, in Antigo, Wisconsin. I ...

Roy De Forest Roy De Forest (11 February 1930 – 18 May 2007) was an American Painting, painter, Sculpture, sculptor, and teacher. He was involved in both the Funk art and Nut art movements in the Bay Area of California. De Forest's art is known for its quirk ...

David Gilhooly David Gilhooly (also known as David James Gilhooly III; April 15, 1943 – August 21, 2013) was an American ceramicist, sculptor, painter, printmaker, and professor. He is best known for pioneering the Funk art movement. He made a series of ...

, Irv Marcus, Maija Peeples-Bright, Peter VandenBerge, Camille VandenBerge, and William T. Wiley. By way of various group exhibitions, the gallery also played an important role in defining, and promoting,

and Nut art. The Candy Store Gallery began in 1962 when McHugh was stopped by the local health department from continuing to sell homemade confections, (specifically almond nougat treats). Despite its relatively small size (just two rooms), the gallery gained wide attention from critics and collectors, including a much publicized visit in 1970 by art collector and actor

Vincent Price Vincent Leonard Price Jr. (May 27, 1911 – October 25, 1993) was an American actor. He was known for his work in the horror film genre, mostly portraying villains. He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. Price ...

. Although many of the artists given their starts at the gallery went on to bigger venues, most remained loyal to McHugh and continued to exhibit, and sell work, through the gallery. In recognition of the gallery's contributions, it was honored in 1981 by an attendance record-breaking exhibition at

Sacramento Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley, Sacramento's 2020 p ...

Crocker Art Museum The Crocker Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the Western United States, located in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1885, the museum holds one of the premier collections of Californian art. The collection includes American works dating f ...

titled "Welcome to the Candy Store." The gallery closed in 1992, and McHugh died in 2003 at age 91.

References

External links

Candy Store Gallery records, 1970-2002

Archives of American Art The Archives of American Art is the largest collection of primary resources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States. More than 20 million items of original material are housed in the Archives' research centers in Washing ...

, Smithsonian Institution 1962 establishments in California 1992 disestablishments in California Art museums and galleries established in 1962 Organizations disestablished in 1992 Defunct art museums and galleries in California Contemporary art galleries in the United States Folsom, California {{California-struct-stub