Jason and Holly Watson
Imagine a collection of 1,500 antique and vintage paintings, each one a gem that sends ripples of inspiration through Interior Design circles across the Southeast.
This assemblage was dubbed Dead Artists Gallery by L.W. and Elizabeth McAnally of Charleston, South Carolina.
For years the McAnallys amassed their watercolors and oils, unique pieces curated by them and their pickers from all over the world.
Their procurements were those of departed artists, though a few feisty painters amongst the living remain. DAG creations are evermore one-of-a-kind in beauty and spirit.
Recently, the McAnallys decided to slow their pace. So, over lunch, they surprised their trusted friends, Holly and Jason Watson (Highlands residents and entrepreneurs), with this business pitch: “We want you to take over our Dead Artists Gallery.”
The Watsons loved the gallery’s name, a brilliant hook and a great giggle. The paintings inspired furnishings for local and international projects amongst Interior Designers and Architects. Affordable, decorative art, from the 1800s-on, was a hot item in both annual markets in High Point, North Carolina.
But DAG wasn’t a year-round gallery. And it wasn’t in Highlands!
Two hours after the offer, with roomfuls of paintings and excitement racing through their heads, the Watsons said, “Yes!” Their lunch turned into a walloping life-changer.
“We wanted to honor this proposal,” Holly said. “We are big on protecting one’s legacy, one’s history, one’s story.”
With backgrounds in creating, building, and merchandising, Holly and Jason, realized they had been preparing for this all their lives.
They began adding their own spin, opening a full-time gallery in Wright Square. “It’s not just a gallery showplace, it’s a deep, rich connection to community, the region, extending from and to the world.”
Holly says, “Dead Artists Gallery is a full-time family operation. The manager is Kimberly, soon to be our daughter-in-law.” See the family at their opening this month at 151 Main Street in Wright Square.
There’s plenty of parking and wonderful art to experience. Envision one of their watercolors, landscapes, or portraits in your own space.
Chances are high you’ll find something perfect with a story that embraces your own.
Some pieces don’t just decorate a room—they awaken it. Let a Dead Artists vintage find become the soul of your space, where color, character, and quiet magic ripple from one corner to the next.
A website and online catalog will debut in this month. Call or text (828) 482-3088. Bonus: they have a partnership with Anthropologie. Look for DAG art on their website, deadartistsgallery.com.
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