Photos by Garrett Cook Joanne and Peter Hildt stand beside one of Jude Kettunen’s ceramic Spirit Figures.

GALLERY SPOTLIGHT

GALLERY OWNERS—Joanne and Peter Hildt

OPENED—November 1997

LOCATION—23417 N. Pima Road, #161, Scottsdale

HOURS—Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

PHONE—(480) 563-9800

WEBSITE—pinnaclegallery.com

HISTORY—As owners of a marketing agency in Illinois, the Hildts specialized in meeting the needs of resorts and shopping centers. When they relocated to Arizona, the couple found themselves utilizing their business experience once again, but in a fine-crafts gallery.
 
 Joanne explains: “When we moved from suburban Chicago in 1993 into our newly built home in north Scottsdale, we could not find Contemporary American craft pieces to complement our decor. Arizona offered excellent Southwestern and Western art, but not the Contemporary pieces we sought to expand our collection.” After researching the designs of new homes and the growing trend toward Contemporary design, she states, “We decided to make a business of what we love.”
 
“Our primary market niche is people who want to enhance and update their home decor,” Peter says. The gallery provides a free in-home design and installation service for their offerings. Often, Joanne is invited to clients’ residences to help select and place art that will coordinate with existing furnishings.
  
Of the couple’s 14 years in the art business, they reflect: “We have met thousands of wonderful customers who appreciate art in their lives, and hundreds of artists who continually amaze us with their talents and creativity.”

SPECIALTY—The gallery features handmade Contemporary craft pieces by American artists in art glass, ceramics, wood, metal, and stone, plus paintings, and wearable art in the form of jewelry.

ARTISTS—Scott Amrhein, Leon Applebaum, Ron Artman, Nicholas Bernard, Bill Booze, Victor Chiarizia, Bandhu Dunham, Newy Fagan, Joanne Frerking, John Gerletti, Anne Goldman, Donna Gordon, Sean Hill, Jude Kettunen, Partricia Locke, Rick Loewenkamp, Frank Luedtke, David McDonald, Susan McGehee, Jon Oakes, Mary Ann Sears, Kazzie Talmadge