Savage Godfrey Gallery
Art gives me the power to be a connector
693 Main Street Norwell
Instagram: @savagegodferygallery
We believe the arts, and the people who make and support them, are essential to the vitality of any community. Artists give form to emotion, challenge perspective, and reflect the culture of a place, in real time. Those of us who support them help ensure that creativity remains visible and sustainable.
When people gather around artwork, wether at an opening in a gallery or in their own home, conversations begin. Connections form. That is powerful. My hope is that we continue building spaces where art feels accessible, welcoming, and integral to everyday life. When we invest in artists, we invest in the character and richness of our region for generations to come.
Using our shared 50 years of experience, we want to inform and assist people find art for their spaces that will be cherished for years and generations.
Art is approachable. Artists are friendly and encourage discussion. Art can be affordable. Engagement is key.
If you don’t attend, you don’t know what you are missing. Art is a journey; the more you see, the more you learn (about art and your personal taste). So, visit the galleries and associations. You will be happy that you took the time.
“We have created a space where people feel comfortable experiencing and discussing art. The Gallery functions as a social setting, an educational one, and a welcoming one.”
We are connectors and advocates, linking artists with collectors, designers, and those new to the art world.
At Savage Godfrey Gallery, we serve as connectors. We curate thematic exhibitions that bring artists together, often artists who have never met,and introduce their work to the South Shore community and beyond. Through each exhibition, reception, and installation, we create meaningful intersections between artists, collectors, designers, and first-time buyers.
There is something deeply rewarding about introducing someone to their first original work of art, earning press for an emerging artist, or placing a piece in a home where it will live for generations. Supporting artists so they can continue creating is at the heart of what we do. Those moments make this work incredibly personal and purposeful.
What moment (or moments) led you to this work?
Christina: I followed in my mother’s footsteps. Early in her career, she focused on corporate art in Boston, and I began there as well. Shortly after college, I had the opportunity to inventory and reinstall the Vitale Caturano Art Collection, which launched my path into curation.
But looking further back, I curated an exhibition of my father’s paintings in high school. I remember being fascinated by how color and concept flowed from one painting to the next - and how artwork could transform a space emotionally and visually. That early experience never left me.
Sunne: In the late 1960s, I was working at the Mayor’s Office at Boston City Hall and became their liaison with the ICA. In those days, the ICA held exhibitions in City Hall's third-floor gallery! My position as liaison opened my eyes in such a positive way to the thriving art community in Boston and the artwork they were creating. The exhibitions, announcements, press releases, and opening receptions became part of my life. That’s where I got my start in the world of contemporary art.
In 1970, I left the Mayor’s Office and worked at the ICA until 1971. I was the Director of Circuit Artists and the Art Rental Gallery. I curated exhibits of contemporary artists that served both museum members and corporate clients. All of this led to becoming an art consultant, representing Boston and New England artists and bringing their art to corporations and architectural firms. In 1975, I founded the Sunne Savage Gallery on Newbury St. in Boston to bring museum-quality artwork to a space anyone could walk into.
Why does this work matter, especially right now?
In a world where so much is mass-produced and fast-moving, original art offers something deeply human. It carries intention, effort, and story. Supporting artists means supporting thoughtful creation — and bringing that into our homes and shared spaces makes those environments richer, more personal, and more meaningful.
Right now, investing in art is also an investment in community. It keeps creativity visible and sustainable in our region.
How does your work help artists or creative people grow, connect, or feel supported?
Our exhibitions intentionally pair emerging and established artists, expanding both peer networks and patron relationships. For emerging artists especially, showing at the Gallery is a professional milestone - one that encourages growth not only in their studio practice, but in how they communicate their work through statements, websites, and marketing.
We create an environment where artists feel championed and visible. At the same time, visitors experience a thoughtful mix of material, style, and scale that inspires deeper engagement with collecting.
What impact are you most proud of so far?
We have created a space where people feel comfortable experiencing and discussing art. The Gallery functions as a social setting, an educational one, and a welcoming one.
I am proud that people return to each exhibition to discover new artists and reconnect with familiar ones. Encouraging people to meet the maker, ask questions, and confidently purchase original work strengthens our regional arts ecosystem.
What challenges have you had to navigate in building or sustaining this work?
As a destination gallery in Norwell’s town center, visibility requires intention. We continually encourage visitors to plan a trip and to return often to experience our rotating exhibitions.
Building consistent foot traffic takes persistence, collaboration, and community partnerships, and we are always thinking creatively about how to invite more people into the space.
How do you define “community” in the context of the arts?
The South Shore arts community is a passionate and expanding network of artists, associations, foundations, curators, consultants, collectors, interior designers, and enthusiasts. It is welcoming and collaborative.
Community, to me, means shared momentum. People showing up for one another, attending events, investing in artists, and believing that creativity strengthens where we live.
What are you actively building or dreaming about next?
Savage Godfrey Gallery and the James Library & Arts Center are collaborating to build art-focused evenings in Norwell Town Center — encouraging visitors to attend receptions at both venues and then enjoy our local restaurants.
We see this as a way to deepen connections, increase artists' visibility, and make art an integral part of a vibrant night out.
