Our story begins with the founder of Gallery 668, Solange Batsell Herter. As a Liberal Arts student at Bennington College she was introduced to a myriad of aspiring artists - painters, sculptors and dancers - including classmate Helen Frankenthaler. In the 1960's she opened Studio 405 in Carnegie Hall selling the works of a wide array of artists such as Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Raoul Dufy, René Magritte, Joan Miro, Maurice Utrillo and Andy Warhol among others.

In addition to her passion for art, Solange became involved in the racing world. In the late 1970's she opened Saratoga's first gallery exhibiting primarily sporting art, including works by Henry Thomas Alken Sr., Sir Alfred Munnings and John Skeaping. Over the years, she began incorporating and exhibiting more contemporary works by regional artists.

The success of these first venues led to the idea of creating a larger exhibit space in the two 19th century barns and silo located at her Battenville residence. An early renovation of the cowbarn was completed by Architect George A. Dudley in the 1970's in order to accomodate a gallery exhibition space. Timothy D. Smith of North Bennington, VT was selected in the late 1990's to complete the second exhibition space in the hay barn.

Continuing the family tradition, Veronique de La Bruyere will be directing the gallery's exhibits for 2009. This year Gallery 668 will open its space to a combination of international and local artists in two group shows exhibiting simultaneously from July 18 through August 16.

In addition to our Saturday Gala Opening Reception on July 18, we will continue to build on the success of ART TALK by introducing a series of ART-MUSIC TALK on Saturday afternoons at 4 - 6 pm.