A Gallery of Curiosity: Gallery Piquel

For decades, Tamara and Jim Cannon traveled the world as performers and cruise directors on luxury cruise lines. In countries across Asia, Europe, and South America, they encountered talented artists selling original work on the street for little money and wondered why more of them weren’t represented by galleries. Eventually, that question grew into a 12-year plan to open a gallery dedicated to championing living artists.

But where would this gallery be? The nature of their jobs meant they never stayed in any one place long enough to put down roots. Every option was on the table.

Then one day, they received an invite from an old friend that would change their lives. “A Broadway performer and dear friend of ours named Byron Nease had a little cottage in Quakertown,” Tamara says. “He kept saying, ‘Come out to Bucks County. Come to my cottage. You’ll love it. It’s so cute.’”

Eventually, Jim and Tamara took Nease up on his offer. They rented a car and headed from their apartment in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Bucks County. As they drove through Lambertville, New Jersey, they marveled at the stone houses, art studios, and little shops lining the river. They knew about the area’s rich history, but seeing it in person shifted something inside them. “Both of us just looked at each other with the same thought: ‘Wait a minute, what? We could live here?’”

One year later, in November 2007, the Cannons opened the doors of Gallery Piquel, finally realizing the vision they had carried for decades: a gallery dedicated to championing talented living artists.

To thank and honor their friend Nease, who passed away in 2013, they purchased a commemorative brick at the Bucks County Playhouse and dedicated the second-floor gallery space to him, naming it the Byron Gallery.

Making Art Accessible

Today, Gallery Piquel is one of New Hope’s longest-established fine art galleries and is often visited by residents of Upper Makefield Township and the surrounding area. While the gallery is home to many respected artists, the Cannons have retained the original spirit that inspired them from the beginning—creating a place where curiosity is welcome and art is accessible to everyone. “We try to convey our passion for our collection to all who enter the gallery, regardless of whether or not they may purchase anything,” Jim says.

Tamara particularly enjoys when young people come in with questions. “They’ll say, ‘What does that mean?’ and I’ll respond, ‘What do you think?’” she says. “Then we get a dialogue going, and that’s so satisfying.”

That commitment to making art approachable doesn’t end with conversation. The Cannons also work to remove the uncertainty that can come with purchasing original artwork. Through digital previews and in-home viewings, clients can see how a piece will look in their own space before deciding, helping to transform what can feel like an intimidating process into an enjoyable one. “We don’t want anybody to be stressed with their decision-making,” Tamara says. “We’re always happy to let them see something in their home before they decide.”

Authenticity Matters

That same spirit of discovery extends to the artists the gallery represents. Rather than focusing on a particular style, the Cannons have built a roster that ranges from traditional landscapes and still lifes to contemporary and highly imaginative work. “We try to show things that you don’t see everywhere,” Tamara says. “Things that make you think, things that make you laugh.”

That philosophy has guided the gallery from the beginning. Rather than chasing trends, the Cannons look for work that feels original and authentic. “As long as we think it is well done, it doesn’t have to be a question of ‘How is this going to sell?’” Tamara says. “We want to show unique, individual work that is unexpected.”

While Tamara is often the first to discover new artists, Jim also helps evaluate potential additions to the gallery’s roster. He says the couple looks for “quality of technique, differentiation from our existing artists, and consistency in being able to create beautiful, unique work.” One of those artists is David Henderson, whose meticulously painted personified animal portraits have become favorites among collectors.

Henderson credits the gallery with embracing work that might not fit neatly elsewhere. “As an artist, I’ve always felt an intimacy about New Hope that encourages creativity,” he says. “Gallery Piquel is a great fit for me. They’ve taken on my most unusual work and cultivated a serious audience eager to see what happens next.”

That willingness to support artists as they experiment is echoed by James Zamora. “As both a professor at Savannah College of Art and Design and a painter, I spend my days thinking about how people see the world,” he says. “Teaching encourages constant curiosity, and that curiosity drives my studio practice. Working with Gallery Piquel has given me the freedom to explore a wide range of subjects while staying committed to craftsmanship and meaningful connection with collectors.”

These comments reflect the artistic freedom the Cannons have encouraged since opening the gallery and which is now on display in the current Americana exhibition, “Celebrate America 250!”

The Artists’ America

Continuing their spirit of curiosity and experimentation, the Cannons took on a new challenge this year. For the first time since opening the gallery, they invited artists to create work around a shared theme: the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. Only minutes away from Washington Crossing, the heart of history, this exhibit is especially impactful to the region.

Tamara was delighted by the artists’ diverse interpretation of the theme. Works range from traditional portraits of America’s founders to colorful abstracts and whimsical reinterpretations of historical figures. Among the more unexpected paintings is David Henderson’s rabbit portrayal of George Washington called “George Unfinished (after Gilbert Stuart).” Tamara called the paintings “delightful and inventive and magnificently painted.”

For the Cannons, the exhibition is about more than celebrating America’s past. It reflects the same spirit of creativity and independent thinking that first drew them to New Hope. “New Hope has for decades been known as an art destination,” Tamara says. “Artists have always lived here. People come here to find antiques and art and that hasn’t changed.”

While the town has evolved over the years, she believes its identity remains intact. New venues and new visitors continue to arrive, bringing fresh energy to the community while preserving the qualities that have made New Hope special from the beginning. “This is a town for individuals,” she says. “The people who live here, they live here on purpose. They love the art, they love the music.”

Nearly 20 years after that first drive through New Hope, the Cannons are still doing what brought them here in the first place—supporting artists, encouraging curiosity, and helping people discover something unexpected.

Lela Casey has been writing professionally for over 15 years. She and her family live in Doylestown.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography