The William Campbell Gallery turns 50 this month. It is one of the longest-running bastions of contemporary art in Fort Worth. Since its inception, the gallery has been instrumental in keeping art at the forefront of the community and sustaining artists’ careers.

Founded by Bill and Pam Campbell in 1974, the gallery initially showcased local artists—many of whom were Bill’s classmates from his time as an art major at TCU. The original space, named Gallery One, was located on Camp Bowie Boulevard. In 1981, the Campbells relocated it to Byers Avenue and renamed it William Campbell Contemporary Art.

As the gallery’s reputation grew, the Campbells broadened their roster and exhibitions, often traveling across the country to discover new talent and source works from renowned artists. Despite this expansion, they never wavered in their commitment to regional talent. Over several decades, they nurtured the careers of locals like Billy Hassel and J.T. Grant, who remain represented by the gallery to this day.

William Campbell Gallery has also created a synergistic relationship with Fort Worth’s renowned museums over the years. Several of the gallery’s artists are featured in the permanent collections of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, among others in the region. Having established the Fort Worth Art Dealers Association and Gallery Night, the Campbells also fostered collaboration and camaraderie with the city’s other galleries—a spirit that continues to permeate the city’s arts scene. 

In 2020, after 46 years at the helm of the gallery, the Campbells announced their plans to retire. At the time, they were considering closing the space for good. When Fort Worth Contemporary Art Partners (FWCAP)—including Misty and Tim Locke, Jadz Pate, Clayton Snodgrass, and Andrea and J.W. Wilson—offered to buy the gallery, the Campbells accepted. In an interview with artist Christopher Blay, Bill said he and Pam jumped at the chance to bring in a new generation of gallerists and reach a new audience. 

So when FWCAP took over, their intentions were simple — maintain the Campbells’ legacy while growing into the future. In 2022, they opened a second location on Foch Street for larger-scale works and expanded capacity. The partners recently acquired the second half of the 6,000-square-foot building, which they plan to use for additional exhibitions and event space rentals.

“With the growth of Fort Worth and the Museum and Cultural District, we saw an opportunity to continue to evolve,” Misty Locke said. “The vision and goal is always about the art first, but the new space does allow us to open it up for additional opportunities.”

While FWCAP continues to source talent both nationally and internationally, they are doubling down on amplifying emerging artists. They created an annual exhibition dedicated specifically to showcasing a select group of new artists, offering them a platform for their work and an opportunity for potential representation. “We serve a greater purpose than just showing art,” J.W. Wilson said. “There are people out there who have something to say, and we want to give them a voice.”

As they continue to invite new artists into their roster, FWCAP is committed to maintaining the decades-long relationships Bill and Pam forged throughout their tenure. “These artists have stayed so long and the gallery has been so successful because it wasn’t just a job for them,” Locke said. “Both the artists and the collectors are their family, and we get to keep building upon that.” 

In the years to come, FWCAP plans to continue innovating and expanding—all while staying rooted in the foundation the Campbells built. Though retired, they remain involved and invested in the partners’ and the artists’ success. “Bill and Pam are the most tremendous mentors,” Locke said. “They are strong friends on good days and bad.”

The gallery will host a 50th-anniversary celebration this month, opening with a VIP event for its artists and the Campbells, followed by a public reception. The occasion marks the opening of a special exhibition featuring new works from all current William Campbell artists, as well as guest artists who have been presented at the gallery in the last 50 years.

As William Campbell Gallery reflects on its five decades, Locke and Wilson emphasize that contemporary art remains at the forefront of our culture—and in ceaselessly high demand—due to its unique ability to evoke emotion. “It brings joy, it brings sadness, it brings anger, and I think those are all things that we have to feel to thrive as humans,” Locke said. Just as the enduring influence of art has fueled the gallery’s mission for 50 years, it will continue to drive its vision into the future.