Today we’d like to introduce you to Angi Wildt.
Hi Angi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I had an incredible opportunity to work for a gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon in the early 2000s. My background was in sales, but the art world was new to me. The experience resonated deeply. It changed how I viewed the world through light and shadow. Conversations with artists and collectors, and spending time in that environment, awakened my own creativity.
When the gallery closed due to economic times, I began thinking of ways to get many of those artists’ work out into the world. After carrying that dream for many years, I eventually realized that opening my own gallery had become a dream of my own as well.
In 2018, I met building owner Ron Hoxie, who had long been a supporter of the arts within our community. He suggested a location that would be affordable and a good place to begin building the Angi D Wildt Gallery in Seaside, Oregon.
In September 2020, Ron had another retail space become available in the Historic District of downtown Astoria near the waterfront. The space was larger, with little nooks and even a loft. It was perfect with much more room to expand. I had been interested in Astoria originally, because it has a strong 2nd Saturday Artwalk scene along with cultural events and festivals throughout the year. It is a destination for people who appreciate the beauty of the coast as well as the food, boutiques, shops, galleries, museums, and immersive experiences. It has a relaxed pace where locals and visitors alike can stroll, explore, and enjoy the community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Seaside location was tucked inside a building without visibility. It was much more difficult to attract visitors than I anticipated. Within a year and a half of realizing this dream of opening a gallery, Covid surfaced. Clatsop SBDC helped keep local businesses apprised of grants and loans that helped many of us navigate the challenging time.
The move to Astoria, though during Covid, proved to be a much better location for connecting with people. As we all know, it took several years for people to regain comfort with being out and gathering again. The timeline for discovery and growth was easily set back by several years.
Ron Hoxie, one of the earliest champions of the gallery who had become a close friend, passed in 2024. The building that housed the gallery was put up for sale shortly afterward. It was not something I had considered, the possibility of losing the space itself. There was a period of uncertainty before new owners took over in August 2025.
Running a gallery has taught me that adaptability and community matter just as much as passion. While there have certainly been challenges, the gallery continues to evolve and still has a home.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love helping people get their expressions out into the world. Through various careers, I have worked with artists and wine makers, bringing people who enjoy art and wine together with these creators.
I am also a photographer, which has influenced how I view both art and the gallery experience. Photography taught me to pay attention to light, composition, atmosphere, and storytelling. Being both an artist and gallery owner gives me appreciation for the creative process and the vulnerability involved in sharing work with others.
Whether I am curating the gallery, creating my own work, photographing artwork for the website, or helping someone find the right piece for their home, I enjoy being part of the connection between creators and the people who appreciate what they make.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My kids have been cheerleaders from the beginning. They continue to be my inspiration.
The artists who entrusted me with their artwork have also played a tremendous role. Many were friends long before the gallery existed. I would often ask them, “If I find a way, will you show your work with the gallery?” Their belief in me gave me confidence to move forward.
The three artists that I knew from that first gallery experience, Bud Egger, Ron Nicolaides, and Dale Landrum, were among the cornerstone artists I had hoped to represent once the gallery opened. I am incredibly grateful to have their work in the gallery today.
Along the way, I met many more artists organically. Richard Burke and Bill W. Dodge expanded the diversity and depth of the collection, and every artist who has joined the gallery has helped shape what it has become.
The support from neighboring galleries and businesses on our block has also meant a great deal to me. We share information, encourage one another, celebrate successes together, and are always thinking of ways to bring more people to experience this part of downtown. That sense of community has made a tremendous difference.
I also have tremendous gratitude for the Astoria arts community. Organizations like the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, which helps create opportunities like 2nd Saturday Artwalk, along with gallery owners, local businesses, collectors, visitors, and community members, have created an environment where people genuinely support one another. Running a gallery may appear to be a solo endeavor, but it is really built through relationships, encouragement, and community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angidwildtgallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angidwildtgallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angidwildtgallery
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/angi-d-wildt-gallery-astoria
