Meet Laylon Whittaker | Gallerist

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

Hi Laylon, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’ve always been a risk taker. When I first opened The Vault Gallery in 1991 in the Old Bank of Cambria brick building which houses the Vault ie the name Vault Gallery. I met the CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank. He decided to take me under his wing because he surmised I knew nothing about business. He wanted me to think units on the wall. I just could not bring myself to think about art and artists like that. By the end of his 2 month sessions with me he told me I would never make it. I proved him wrong with an exhibition of John Lennon work and sold $70,000. I sent him Christmas card for years telling him I was still in business and to date the Vault Gallery has sold 16 Million in Fine Art Sales. I think if you don’t take risks within reason your still thinking that you have a boss telling you what you can and can not do. Owning your own business is creative and allows freedom.
I’ve somehow acquired a photographic memory which helps when clients come in. I also have knack of finding young artists .I tell people its my antennas. My criteria for accepting a artist is if it makes me smile and is narrative. I look at the art not the price point in the beginning. I turn down probably 5 artists a month. Actually this has become joyful for me to come in everyday. I don’t feel like it is work. That’s important.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I want the world to know that what I’ve created with the help of my artists who I have hand picked to sell in this very small tourist town of Cambria was at first very challenging. It was my first business. I’d sold art for many galleries in SF and Carmel. I got to the point that I just decided to give it a try because I was so successful working for other Gallery Owners,
When I saw a for rent sign on the old bank building I jumped in. What I’ve learned is to delegate. I have a CPA. I have a IT. I have a framer. I don’t do anything but sell and promote my Artists who I have exclusives on. My brand is me and my expertise in qualifying clients. Hearst Castle brings in people from all over the world so I have a continued flow of new people coming in every day. I’ve shipped all over the world. I have a huge repeat business. I call them collectors.
Some have come along the ride for over 25 years. The gallery is ever changing as the paintings sell quite fast
I always get excited about seeing the new work my artist have done. Were all proud. Bottom line. We are all making lots of money. Guess I finally can say that !!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Cambria is a wonderful place to live. I would take them to Hearst Castle which is my ticket for selling so much art to people all over the world. A new restaurant opened called Brydge. The chef is influenced by Alice Waters who she worked along side for awhile. Fabulous. We would walk along the boardwalk and see the beautiful ocean and take a ride up to visit the
Elephant Seals. If they liked wine we’re definitely in wine country. I once took survey and most of the successful business’s are owned by women in Cambria. We’re a bunch of Free Spirits. The motels along the beach are fabulous. The shops are all mom and pop. We don’t even have one fast food. Cambria is just a very laid back small own with one Main Street and great restaurants. Robins and Madeline’s is also a favorite.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I actually owe some my success to my mentors in the Art Business. Steve Diamond from Arcadia Contemporary in NY has helped me all along in my dealing with
Artists. When I have a sensitive problem he knows exactly what to do. He suggested I use “Girl in Charge” In all my emails to my 3000 clients. My amazing talented artists who have been with me for almost since the beginning. We are all along for this fun ride. I’m told the gallery has a cult following.

The other person I would consider my major mentor and has helped with my success is my Husband John Whittaker who has opened my eyes up to major museums all over the world and helped steer me in the direction that the Vault Gallery has taken with his fine tuned eye. From the sales of his paintings and the success of the Gallery we have been able to build a beautiful home here in Cambria.

Website: laylon@vaultgallery.com

Instagram: Vault Gallery

Facebook: Vault Gallery

Other: Laylon@vaultgallery.com

Image Credits
Laylon Whittaker June Valentine Ruppe Gary Steinborn Michael Courville Scott Dykema Adam Licsko Steve Johnston