Meet Doug Gault | Gallery Owner – Cufflink Art

We had the good fortune of connecting with Doug Gault and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Doug, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For years we’ve approached risk by trying to think about the worst thing that could happen if we tried something new. When you strip away irrational fear and self-doubt and get down to the facts of what might actually be the worst thing, it’s rarely ever as bad as you might imagine.

Then you can move forward into your new adventure, managing for that worst case scenario and mitigating most of the irrational fear that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When formulating the plans for Cufflink Art, we knew we wanted to be different. Our goal was to create a gallery space that was welcoming to everyone whether they were new to art collecting or already established.

We started off by deciding to have a smaller, more intimate space that wasn’t your typical “white wall” gallery. We’ve worked very hard to foster the feeling that that gallery is an extension of our home. To do that we’ve painted the walls a darker blue-gray, brought in furniture and plants, and tried to soften the overall visual experience. This way people get a much truer idea of what an art piece may look like in their own homes.

We also decided we would include fine art books, limited edition prints and small sculptural items in the gallery. Collecting art doesn’t have to be expensive, and we want to help foster peoples interest in art collecting by providing options at every price level.

Our biggest challenge to date has been the fact that we opened during the height of the pandemic. We purchased our space in 2019 started on the finish out in early 2020. When the pandemic hit it slowed everything down and we weren’t able to open until Fall 2020, just in time for Fort Worths Fall Gallery night. Since then we’ve been able to grow slowly and have enjoyed a modicum of success. Our struggle now is to get people to know that we’re here and that open for business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For friends visiting Fort Worth, it’s so easy to create an itinerary.

Mornings usually start off with coffee and we’re spoiled for choice! Roots Coffee Shop in South Main Village, Black Coffee near Texas Wesleyan University and Coffee Folk in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of east Fort Worth are just a few of our favorites.

We also have some of the best museums in the state, if not the nation. I’d make sure we had plenty of time to visit The Amon Carter, The Kimbell and The Modern – all top tier museums in their own right, and amazing that you can see such diverse collections all within a 5 minute walk of each other.

While we’re on art, I’d make sure we hit the William Campbell gallery and the Fort Worth Community Art Center, definite high points in the Fort Worth art scene.

When visiting a new city, you always have to make time for shopping so we’d definitely have to head to Clear Fork to hit Neiman Marcus, Burberry, and the myriad other high end shops. While you’re there, why not treat yourself to biscuits and champagne at Fixe Southern House (one of our favorites).

On a nice day we’d either rent bikes or take a walk on the Trinity Trails, stopping at HG Supply or Press Cafe for a bite and a drink.

For some casual dining we love to go to Black Cat Pizza, Righteous Foods or for great take out, Tuk Tuk Thai. For a little more upscale dining we love Grace, Ellerbe Fine Food, Cafe Modern and the afore mentioned Fixe Southern House.

There are so many things to do in Fort worth I’m quite sure we wouldn’t run out of options.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We would not have ventured into the world of gallery ownership without the love and encouragement of Bill and Pam Campbell. Their friendship and mentorship has been invaluable. They’ve openly shared their experience and advice and helped us feel much more confident moving forward in this venture.

Megan Henderson also deserves a shout out. She’s a rabid proponent for the arts in the Near Southside and has been a friend and champion of ours for a very long time.

Without the support of these extraordinary friends, we’d probably still be dreaming instead of doing.

Website: https://cufflinkart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cufflinkartfw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cufflinkartfw

Image Credits
All photos taken by Cufflink Art