Paul Tamanian, a 70-year-old nationally acclaimed painter, recently made the difficult decision to close his ambitious art gallery in Tallahassee's bustling Midtown district after operating for less than six months. The closure of Paul Tamanian Fine Art marks the end of what was perhaps one of the most significant attempts to establish a major fine art presence in Florida's capital city.

The 3,000-square-foot bespoke gallery, located at 1130 Thomasville Road, was a completely renovated stand-alone space that housed Tamanian's impressive collection of large-scale abstract paintings and sculptures. The gallery featured six to nine-foot abstract artworks created on aluminum with paint blow-torched into position, polished steel sculptures mounted on wooden stands, and distinctive lacquered surfboards that served as artistic statements in their own right.

Tamanian's venture stood out among Tallahassee's existing galleries, including Venvi Gallery, Signature Gallery, 621, and Strauss, both for its ambitious scale and what could be described as the boldness of the enterprise. The artist had taken a calculated risk, believing that North Florida residents could appreciate and purchase fine art with the same enthusiasm as collectors in Manhattan or other major art markets worldwide.

"I guess you could say I misjudged the market," Tamanian admitted during his final weekend at the gallery, sitting alone among his towering artistic creations. The artist had anticipated that local professionals—attorneys, physicians, and leaders of large companies—would constitute a significant portion of his customer base, particularly those looking to decorate their offices with distinctive artwork. He also expected the region's booming housing market to generate demand from new homeowners seeking striking wall hangings for their residences.

However, reality proved far different from expectations. Tamanian described spending long weekend afternoons and weekday hours sitting alone in the gallery, often without a single visitor even browsing the collection. This pattern of isolation and lack of foot traffic persisted from the gallery's opening, creating an unsustainable business situation that ultimately led to his decision to close.

The final catalyst came when the landlord approached Tamanian about a gym owner who expressed interest in renting the space. Faced with the prospect of continuing to pay $5,000 monthly overhead costs without generating sales, Tamanian made the pragmatic decision to step aside. "Even though I have 18 paintings in The Huntsman Restaurant in Tallahassee, and will fill their new restaurant near Carillon Beach, as well as other commissions around the country, you just can't pay $5,000 a month overhead for a gallery forever with no sales," he explained candidly.

Tamanian did attempt various strategies to make the gallery financially viable. He explored using the space as a wedding venue, hosting receptions, private parties, and fundraising events. He even considered opening the gallery for yoga classes. Despite these creative efforts to generate revenue, none of these alternative uses resulted in art purchases or sustainable income.

The challenges Tamanian faced reflect broader struggles within the art gallery industry. According to Contemporary Art Issue magazine, thirty percent of art galleries are currently losing money, and after expenses, only 18 percent maintain profit margins of 20 percent or higher. Local gallery forums frequently discuss the difficulties facing the industry, with common refrains including "Between recessions and COVID, we're going out of business" and "Without foot-traffic, you're dead." Perhaps most fundamentally, as one gallery owner noted, "basically, we're trying to sell something that nobody really NEEDS."

Despite this setback, the resilient artist, who didn't begin his professional art career until his 40s, remains committed to his creative work. "I always have new ideas, one after another," Tamanian said. "And I will continue to sell my work to Tallahassee from my home and have home shows there." His determination reflects the persistent drive that characterizes many artists who continue creating regardless of market conditions.

Tamanian acknowledged that the life of an artist presents numerous challenges beyond the creative process itself. From social media agencies demanding $5,000 monthly fees to gallery owners who claim the majority of profits from sales, he noted that "sweating in the sun to make his art has been the easy part." The business aspects of art—marketing, sales, and maintaining physical gallery spaces—often prove more daunting than the artistic creation itself.

The artist's work continues to find appreciation in various venues throughout the region. His 18 paintings currently displayed at The Huntsman Restaurant in Tallahassee demonstrate ongoing local interest in his work, and he has secured a commission to fill the restaurant's new location near Carillon Beach. Additionally, he maintains commissions and sales relationships across the country, suggesting that while the local gallery model may not have succeeded, demand for his distinctive artistic vision persists.

Tamanian's story illustrates both the challenges and the persistence that characterize the contemporary art world. While economic realities forced the closure of his ambitious gallery project, his commitment to continuing his artistic practice reflects a fundamental truth about creative individuals: as he noted, "artists will make art." Along this often difficult journey, there will always be images that, whether needed or not, will speak to someone—calling out from behind a window and promising joy with every glance.

For those interested in Tamanian's continuing work, he can be contacted through his website at paultamanianstudio.com or via email at paul@paultamanianstudio.com, or by phone at 850-459-0999. His experience serves as both a cautionary tale about the challenges of establishing galleries in smaller markets and an inspiring example of artistic perseverance in the face of commercial setbacks.