Karl J. Kuerner at the Sunset Hill Fine Art Gallery

Posted by Victoria Rose on April 15, 2023

Celebrate Mr. Rogers, Karl J. Kuerner

When Sunset Hill Jewelers opened in 1983, West Chester looked a lot different. West Chester State College had just become West Chester University. The F. W. Woolworth Co. store dominated the corner of Gay & High Streets, where Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant now sits. Outside of town was more farmland than housing, and . . . well, if the dining scene wasn’t as spectacular as it was now, at least parking downtown was a lot easier.

And Sandra Riper, the owner of Sunset Hill, had an empty space on the second floor that she didn’t know what to do with. The showcases downstairs were full of sparkling pretty things, many works of art themselves. It was Harry Dunn, a local artist who created both fine art and commercial works, who came up with the solution: an art gallery, perfectly situated in the heart of West Chester. Sunset Hill Jewelers and Fine Art Gallery was born.

“It has been kind of a rollercoaster” says Riper, when asked about the history of the gallery. “We are part of a very arts supporting and arts inspiring community.” That sentiment extends not only to the galleries, but also to the local museums, artists, and people of the Brandywine Valley. “West Chester is very lucky to have such a diverse art scene filled with history. It embraces and inspires new artists of every age and in every medium, both traditional and new age,” Riper says. The Fine Art Gallery at Sunset Hill has hosted a wide range of artists over the years, from the first show featuring the work of Harry Dunn (whose art still hangs in the gallery, though Dunn passed away in 1998) through today. Riper chooses the artists who show in the gallery herself, presenting old favorites as well as new faces that have caught her attention. “Art and artist are chosen in many different ways, referrals and introductions, and by my choice when I see an artist’s work, meet them, and get that good feeling that I can help them by hosting them in my Gallery,” Riper says. “My job as Gallery owner is to work for the artist!”

The evolution of the art scene can be seen in the artists that have shown there over the years, from Harry Dunn to Daphne Landis, Charles Jay to Darcie Goldberg to Dane Tilghman. “Mixing art—old and new, traditional and modern, is a fun challenge,” Riper says. “If you look closely, you see inspiration in the new art taken from the past.” For the fortieth anniversary, Riper knew it was time to bring a special show to the space. “Forty years is a monumental achievement,” she says. “I wanted an artist with an exhibit of paintings that would celebrate this occasion.” Her solution was to reach out to a legend of the Brandywine Valley art scene, the one and only Karl J. Kuerner. “Karl Kuerner and I share a mutual friend and trust in our framer, Donna [Dymek], at Strodes Mill,” Riper says, explaining her choice. “When you are there, you see the works of many artists. Kuerner’s work has always caught my eye and on my last visit this past season, one particular painting of his caught my attention and that’s when I decided to ask Kuerner for this show.” It seemed to be a perfect match. “When Karl Kuerner agreed, I felt as if I hit one out of the park!”

“Karl is a storyteller,” Riper says. Kuerner’s works have names that invite the viewer to imagine the tale beyond the edges of the frame. For example, you can imagine the sleepy quiet of The Other Side of Midnight or the smell of ichor and wet grass in Damned Rain, both part of the upcoming exhibition. That fits with Riper’s view of art, both in shows and as a collector herself. “Collecting artwork is like writing a story,” she says. “As each chapter unfolds, memories and new experiences are expressed. If you fill your home with art, it too will tell a story.”

Many Hats, an Exhibit by Karl J. Kuerner, opens on Friday, May 5 th at Sunset Hill Fine Art Gallery. The Opening Reception will take place during the Spring Gallery Walk in Downtown West Chester on Friday, May 5 th from 4 to 8 pm. On Wednesday, May 10th , author Bruce E. Mowday and projection artist Michael Lynch will join Kuerner in the gallery. This evening will focus on art, the local art scene, and two books written by Mowday and featuring paintings by Kuerner: Emotional Gettysburg, and the upcoming Emotional Brandywine. Sunset Hill Jewelers and Fine Art Gallery is located at 23 North High Street, West Chester, PA. More information can be found at SunsetHillJewelers.com.

About Victoria Rose

Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.