We don`t sell art. Art sells itself.

“We don’t sell art.
Art sells itself.”
~ Susan Benjamin ~
SYD ENTEL GALLERIES
SYD ENTEL GALLERIES
Celebrating 30 years in Safety Harbor
T
That is how Susan Benjamin explains
the guiding philosophy of the Syd Entel
Galleries and probably why it has
become such a spectacular success. Now
celebrating its 30th Anniversary in Safety
Harbor, Syd Entel Galleries and Susan
Benjamin Glass has become a showcase
for contemporary artistic talent from around
the world and has brought the “art of the
masters” to the Tampa Bay area.
To celebrate the occasion, the galleries
are planning
to exhibit
some of
the artists
who have
brought art
lovers to the
Gallery again
and again
through the
years. Leroy
Neiman,
James Rizzi,
Thomas
Arvid, Peter Max and the Father of Art
Deco, Erté, will all have works on display
as will the outstanding glass artists Duncan
McClellan, Susan Gott and James Nowak.
Invitations are going out to customers
and art lovers who frequent Syd Entel
Galleries, and an Anniversary Celebration
and Show is being planned for the big
day– Saturday, April 17, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Receptions are nothing new for the Syd
Entel Galleries, and many renowned artists
have come there for special events and
signings. One of the most recent, is Russian
born artist Maya Eventov, whose works
have been shown in the Galleries for the
past ten years.
Collectors new
and old who
purchased
her work
were thrilled
to finally
have the
opportunity to
meet the artist
in person.
Even though Syd Entel herself is no
longer directly involved with the day-today operations, she still is a vital part of
the galleries. She is always busy writing
newsletter articles, accompanying Susan
on buying trips, and sharing her love of art
which inspired her to open the Galleries in
the first place.
Through the years, Syd Entel
and Susan Benjamin have gained an
outstanding reputation in the fine art
community. Syd helped start the Dunedin
Fine Arts Center and is proud of
“The Entel Family Gallery” located within
the art center.
The story of this remarkable business
began even before the move to Safety
Harbor when Syd started the gallery under
the name “Contemporary
Limited Editions” on the 11th
floor of the 1100 Building
in Clearwater. With an
elevator to her showroom
and a clientele that for
the most part was already
familiar with the art world,
Syd determined to set out for
a place where more people
could learn about art and
benefit from the experience.
She chose Safety
Harbor because of its easy access for
customers from all over the Tampa Bay
area and because of the wide variety of
people who came to visit Safety Harbor
Resort and Spa from across the nation and
around the world.
Her first showroom in Safety Harbor
was located across from the gazebo in a
storefront that is now the home to Bongo’s
Gift Shop. It was there in 1980 that she
began to exhibit art in Safety Harbor. As
the business grew, she decided to build
a more suitable showroom, and Syd
Entel Galleries opened at
its current location in
1986.
At first she shared
the unique pink
art deco building with
two other tenants. In
16 | DESTINATIONSAFETYHARBOR.COM | SPRING 2010
2001, Susan Benjamin decided to take
over the leased space and expanded her
collection of hand blown glass. Eventually
they knocked down some walls and
combined the galleries to open a 5500
square foot Art and Glass gallery. Susan
Benjamin Glass Etc. was now official.
Unlike many gallery owners, Susan
Benjamin selects and purchases all the art
and glass that is on display herself, so it
is not there on consignment. She travels
nationally and internationally to find quality
art and glass pieces.
“The art business is changing because
of the internet,” Susan explains, “but I like
to see the art we exhibit
in person. Often, what
looks good on the internet
does not bring the same
emotional response as the
works when I see them
first-hand.”
The works on display
in the Galleries range
in price from as low
as $100 to several
thousands of dollars. The
words “Extraordinary…Distinct…Unique”
have been used to describe the Syd Entel
Galleries. We might want to add another
descriptive phrase -- “Simply Wonderful!”

~By Bonnie Walters