Member Spotlight: Bonner David Galleries
Integral to The Scout Guide Phoenix & Scottsdale’s mission is telling the stories behind the small businesses Scouted in each Volume. The story begins in print and continues online, after all. As you peruse Volume 2, we are thrilled to continue our story-telling mission with Member Spotlights.
Photographed by Carl Schultz | Schultz Digital.
Founded by partners, Clark Olson, a gallerist and art collector, and Christi Bonner Manuelito, a successful artist in her own right, the duo opened their first gallery location in Old Town Scottsdale, exhibiting creations by artists who shared the founders’ love for figurative, landscape, and realism. This year, that same gallery, Bonner David Galleries, will celebrate twenty years in business.
Over the two decades since, the pair’s combined taste and talent for identifying the most gifted of contemporary and traditional artists in the world has manifested in a vast, celebrated array of artworks by a myriad of established and emerging creatives. But even more than all the accolades and esteem that comes with running not one, but two galleries (Bonner David includes a Contemporary and Traditional gallery) of such caliber, their one goal remains: serving as a fine art resource for everyone, seasoned collector and art novice alike.
In honor of their momentous milestone, we had the extreme pleasure of sitting down with one half of the pair behind Bonner David Galleries who graciously opened up about her role in the Southwest art landscape and beyond, their recent expansion into Manhattan, and the partnership at the galleries’ foundation.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Christi, many of our readers are already familiar with Bonner David Galleries and its prestige in the art world. But for the uninitiated, can you tell us about the gallery?
Christi Manuelito: We are a fine art gallery located in Old Town Scottsdale, representing some of the most notable artists in the world as well as famous local artists. And this year it will be our twentieth year in business. We’ve come a long way and have so much gratitude for the community for embracing us and the artists who we have had the privilege of working with.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Your co-founder and business partner Clark Olson has been by your side since the very beginning. How did you both find you both get your start in the industry?
Christi Manuelito: Well I am an artist myself and received a bachelors degree in studio art and art history. Clark, as a longtime collector and former senior docent at the Phoenix Art Museum, has been in the art world for decades, too. So, before teaming up to open Bonner David Gallery, we had years of experience the industry. It’s very fulfilling to work with a partner who shares the same vision.
Photographed by Carl Schultz | Schultz Digital.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: And what is that vision?
Christi Manuelito: Our vision for Bonner David was to create a gallery where the artists come first. We want them to feel like a family. We want our artists and employees to have the capacity to thrive as creatives, not just as a product to sell. We wanted to create “a whole family of fine art” that embodied a gallery with synergy. Twenty years later, that vision remains the same.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: That vision has clearly paid incredible dividends. Aside from the unique atmosphere and gallery culture, what else sets Bonner David Galleries apart?
Christi Manuelito: We bring some of the most beautiful and notable art exhibits, almost monthly, to Scottsdale. Beyond that, we pride ourselves on the quality of art and expertise available we offer collectors.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Who’s work can readers expect to find exhibited in the gallery?
Christi Manuelito: Between our Traditional and Contemporary galleries, you’ll find a wealth of renowned artists like Michael Carson, Max Hammond, Hunt Slonem, Bobby Quinn, Liz Tran, Sophia Loroseo, and more!
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: We can absolutely attest to your fabulous reputation! What services or areas of specialization do you offer?
Christi Manuelito: We prioritize educating visitors to the gallery in all aspects of fine art. We also offer a fine art service where we assist collectors in best displaying art in their homes and installing works. For example, we recently assisted a collector in combining separate art collections from two homes into one. It contained well over 100 paintings. Our collector was extremely impressed and thrilled with the result!
Photographed by Carl Schultz | Schultz Digital.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Of the many aspects of your work with the gallery, what do you find most rewarding?
Christi Manuelito: Assisting people in understanding the importance of collecting fine art.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: What’s on the horizon for Bonner David? Do you have any recent or new projects?
Christi Manuelito: Our biggest project and endeavor so far was expanding our gallery and services in 2020 to the biggest art market in the world, New York City! You can find us on the Upper East Side just steps away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can literally see the Met from our front door!
Photographed by Carl Schultz | Schultz Digital.
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: We’re thrilled about the success of Bonner David Galleries in New York City, it’s a fabulous testament to your talents as gallerists. But, let’s talk closer to home: what do you love about living and working in Scottsdale?
Christi Manuelito: Scottsdale is a beautifully well-kept city – it’s why we opened our business here!
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: Any favorite local businesses?
Christi Manuelito: Of course! Fine art and fine food go hand and hand. My favorite restaurants located near the gallery are Virtu Honest Craft, Arcadia Farms, Kaleidoscope Juice, Malee’s, Sel, AZ88, and The House Brasserie!
TSG Phoenix & Scottsdale: We also that Bonner David Galleries and local non-profits go hand in hand. Can you speak to the local organizations or charities close to your heart?
Christi Manuelito: Bonner David Galleries has supported many local charity organizations over the years. Most recently, Hospice of the Valley, Scottsdale Police, PANDA, and Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
TRADITIONAL ARTISTS REPRESENTED
Brad Aldridge | Joseph Lorusso | Lovemore Bonjisi | Richard Mteki | Rich Bowman | Agnes Nyanhongo | John Burton | Collen Nyanhongo | Cary Ennis | Dennis Nyanhongo | Luigi Gatti | Moses Nyanhongo | Claudia Hartley | Wellington Nyanhongo | Peregrine Heathcote | Eve Plumb | Dyana Hesson | Norbert Shamuyarira | Ron Hicks | Gary Ernest Smith | Jane Jones | Lane Timothy | Milt Kobayashi | Kathrine Lemke Waste | Robert LaDuke | Romona Youngquist | Francis Livingston
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS REPRESENTED
Eric Boos | Perlagia Mutyavaviri | Quim Bove | Moses Nyanhongo | Andy Burgess | Melissa Peck | Michael Carson | Todd Pierce | Lu Cong | John Schieffer | Nathan Fischer | Karen Shapiro | David Gordon | Hunt Slonem | Peter Gwisa | Henry Stinson | Max Hammond | Liz Tran | Ron Hicks | Simon Waranch | Christi Manuelito | Holly Wilson | Gail Morris
Bonner David Galleries offers a remarkable selection of works from renowned contemporary and traditional artists. To view the artists currently housed at the gallery, visit their website or head to their dual exhibition gallery destination located on Main Street in downtown Scottsdale.
As Featured In: Scouted Art: 21 Pieces to Add to Your Collection
