David Clyde Heath

News Obituary Article

BLAIRSVILLE: David Clyde Heath, 65, nurtured art scene

By KAY POWELL

David Heath brought modern masters and local artists together in his gallery and around the supper table.

In 33 years at Heath Gallery, he showcased national and international contemporary artists and nurtured local talent, actions considered revolutionary for an Atlanta gallery opened 40 years ago.

"Obviously, I was in awe of him with his vision and his foresight to bring modern masters to Atlanta way before anybody else thought about it," said Robin Sandler of Atlanta, founder of Sandler Hudson Gallery. "He embraced local artists and showed them together with national and international artists."

With New York City considered by some the art center of America, Mr. Heath raised Atlanta's profile. "Most importantly," Ms. Sandler said, "he brought all the New York artists and international artists to Atlanta and put the local artists on the same level."

"The Heath Gallery set the standard," said Annette Cone-Skelton of Atlanta, co-founder of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, known as MOCA GA. "His stable of artists were pivotal in the Atlanta art world." They produced incredible works of art and exhibitions and founded arts organizations and publications, she said.

The memorial service for David Clyde Heath, 65, of Blairsville is at 4 p.m. Saturday at MOCAGA. The longtime Atlanta resident died of complications from diabetes Friday at his Blairsville residence. Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Heath wanted to make Atlanta a better place for contemporary art, and Heath Gallery was a place where regional artists could feel connected to a larger art world.

When he opened the gallery in 1965, the Atlanta native thought it would be temporary. He described his mission modestly in a 1997 Atlanta Journal-Constitution article: "I wanted to get the art into safe hands so it could be sorted out later."

He ran one of the premier galleries in the Southeast and became a pivotal figure on the Atlanta art scene as an adventurous dealer, a mentor to artists and collectors and a participant in the life of the art community, AJC visual arts critic Catherine Fox wrote in a 2002 article:

"He was a pioneer in bringing blue-chip and cutting-edge contemporary work to an art-impoverished Atlanta. At the same time, he built a stable of strong regional artists," she wrote. "He cultivated a generation of collectors and even future dealers."

It isunusual for a local gallery to thrive for 33 years, Ms. Sandler said, and Heath Gallery did because of "his eye, his charm, his ability to deal with collectors and to deal with artists and be true to his convictions."

Mr. Heath's intelligence, wit and mischievous side were reflected in the art he selected and how he hung a show, she said. After a full day, he would host formal, sit-down dinners at the gallery for 25 regional artists and renowned painters from elsewhere.

"He was handsome, dashing and charming. He was fun to be around, and he was generous with his knowledge," Ms. Sandler said. "He had a brilliant mind and a razor-sharp wit. He had an eye that was unsurpassed and a kind, warm, generous spirit."

Survivors include two sons, Ellis Heath of Morgantown, W.Va., and Clifton Curry Heath of San Diego; Adair Heath of Australia; and one grandson.

© 2005 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution