Local art paired with a charming, historic building…that’s what you experience when you visit Galley West Art Gallery in Orleans. Opened in October 2021, the Galley West Art Gallery has quickly become a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts exploring Orleans. Conveniently located just 1.5 miles from downtown Orleans, at the corner of Route 28 and Monument Road, the gallery is a true celebration of local Cape Cod artistry, with a historical story to boot.
On the campus of The Church of the Holy Spirit, the gallery is dedicated to showcasing the personal vision and diverse talents of artists from the Lower and Outer Cape towns — Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown — with an impressive selection of artwork in a wide array of media:
Acrylic, Clay, Collage, Encaustic, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Monoprints, Mosaics, Oil,
Pastels, Photography, Pyrography (wood burning), Turned Wood, Watercolor,
From May to December*, the gallery hosts four distinctive, juried shows. The number of entrants per show has doubled over the years, ensuring each show, curated by local art professionals, continues to ensure exceptional quality, variety, and price points. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a casual admirer, you’re sure to find pieces that captivate and inspire.
*2025 Show Schedule: Spring: May 7 – June 14; Summer: June 25 – August 16; Autumn: August 27 – October 18; Winter: October 29- December 20
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10-2; Summer Show, Thursdays until 6:00
Opening Day Receptions 3 – 5
Since its opening, more than 100 artists have earned the opportunity to display and sell their work, many for the very first time. These burgeoning talents have been thrilled with the enthusiastic community response to their creativity and skill. The Gallery thrives on the dedication of artists themselves to work in the gallery! The fact that visitors can engage directly with the artist volunteers adds such a personal and enriching touch to their visit experience. It provides the opportunity to learn about the creative processes and the stories behind their works firsthand.
Adding to the gallery’s charm is the permanent feature of aluminum hammered jewelry and other handcrafted items made by the Kimball Guild. Started in the 1930s by renowned local artists Vernon Smith and Florence Kimball, who purchased Galley West and its surrounding land in 1928, this craft continues today using the same traditional methods and tools.
COME SEE – COME VISIT – COME EXPERIENCE!
Discover the historic, artistic aura from our many talented individuals, shaping a legacy for future artists to thrive upon. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of colors and emotions that adorn the walls, inviting you to be a part of something truly extraordinary.
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The History of Galley West
The Galley West Art Gallery is a gem that combines history and artistry beautifully! Its restoration in 2021 was an incredible effort to preserve both its architectural charm and cultural significance. Having access to a piece of early Americana Cape Cod architecture that’s open to the public is a rare treat—it’s an opportunity to step back in time and immerse yourself in the lifestyle and craftsmanship of another era.
For those who enjoy Early Americana history, continue reading below about the gallery’s amazing journey.
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In the mid 1800’s, Henry David Thoreau visited Cape Cod when the back shores were treeless and uninhabited. In “Stage-Coach Views” written in 1849, he wrote:
At length, we stopped for the night at Higgin’s tavern, in Orleans, feeling very much as if we were on a sand bar in the ocean, and not knowing whether we should see land or water ahead when the mist cleared away.
At this time, the Orleans Higgens Tavern was expanding and planned to remove its ticket office structure to make way for more lodging. Not to let a sound structure go to waste, the 2-story ticket office was moved by a local man to its current location at 204 Monument Road in Orleans.
Wreck of the Orissa- Nauset Beach, January 18,1857
The back room of Galley West is the actual cook’s gallery from the cargo ship Orissa that met its watery demise on Nauset Beach in 1857. The following is Captain Sear’s account on record in the office of State Street Bank & Trust Company, Boston, where the ship’s quarterboard is on display.
The Orissa remained in its watery grave until parts washed up on Nauset Beach’s shore in 1894…including the cook’s galley, complete with the cook’s cleaver still tucked in the ceiling where it remains today!
As custom during those times, the wreckage was salvaged from the beach. The family living in the former Higgens Tavern building badly needed more space and dragged the galley to be the “back room” of their home. Later a kitchen was added off the cook’s galley. This is how the structure looked around 1900.
Galley West is “Born”
In the mid-1920’s, Florence and Richard Kimball vacationed in Orleans to escape New York City’s summer heat. On August 1, 1928, Florence purchased the patched-together house and land and named their new home “Galley West,” presumably for the Orissa cook’s galley and being on the West side of town or for the definition of “Galley West,” which means askew or lopsided and cockeyed. That is clearly the condition of the dwelling then and now.
Once they made the buildings “habitable,” they came weekends, but moved to Galley West full-time in 1933 when Richard became The Church of Holy Spirit’s first Rector.
Holy Spirit founding member, Vernon Smith, a local Orleans artist, became a close friend of the Kimballs. In celebration of the 1933 church opening and Richard becoming the Rector, Vernon painted a full wall mural depicting the historic whaling industry. It still hangs in the Galley West Art Gallery.
Over time, the Galley West transformed from the Kimball’s home, to Florence’s art studio, and, a gift shop run by the ladies of the church. In 2019, plans began to convert the building into an art gallery for parish artists to sell their art. However, it was quickly discovered that other than outdated electric wiring and a failing HVAC, the building was in the same condition as in the 1800’s!
Fortunately, the Town of Orleans Community Preservation Committee recognized the importance of restoring and preserving the historic building. Under the guidance of Orleans based JC Donald Company, the Galley West was totally restored with modern ammenties while revealing and preserving the historic beauty of the structure.
The gallery opened on Saturday October 16th showcasing the art of 18 local artists. Since then, 18 more shows, with 4 more scheduled in 2025. Each show now showcases upwards of 30 different local artists. We look forward to what the future will bring – including you as a visitor!
