Sometimes a business grows whether it was intend to or not. This year marks the 42nd year anniversary of the long-established Glenn Green Galleries. In the beginning, the owners didn't anticipate anything large. "We started as a frame shop in Phoenix," said Glenn Green, owner along with his wife, Sandy. "My father was a sign painter and then he opened a frame shop. We started hanging the work of some of the artists who came in, and that was the beginning."

This humble beginning belies the international reputation the business now enjoys with some of the Southwest's most renowned artists. Sandy met Glenn in college in Phoenix, where she pursued a degree in education and he earned a degree in business. They went on together with the frame shop-gallery. Both kept an eye on emerging artists and the trends in the art world, searching for artists they thought had promise.

In 1973, Sandy Green spotted a unique artist in the Heard Museum — painter-sculptor Allan Houser. The Greens represented him for 22 years until his death in 1994.

After 42 years, the Greens still actively watch the art world for young artists they feel hold strong potential and can sustain long, full careers. One such artist is sculptor Melanie Yazzie, a professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

"Sandy and Glenn have been so supportive. Whenever I get discouraged and doubt myself as an artist, they are right there, full of encouragement," she said. "They've also introduced me to a lot of influential people as well as collectors. It's always so casual and informal with them. They don't demand that I produce a certain number of many pieces in a year like other galleries require of artists." The Glenn Green Galleries has represented Yazzie since 1995.

The Greens say they find artists through newspaper and magazine articles, at art fairs and exhibits. Whenever they travel, they are always on the watch for exciting art and now represent artists from around the world.

"We show art from Britain, Japan, Italy, Argentina, Vietnam and New Zealand as well as the U.S.," said Sandy Green.

The Greens emphasize contemporary modern art. "But that is really wide open. We have a little bit of everything."

Karen Epstein began collecting art from Glenn Green Galleries 40 years ago in Arizona. "We bought Houser and Dan Namingha. We expanded with them and it's been exciting to
watch their business grow. They're also honest and we like doing business with them," she said.

Pam Hait, also of the Phoenix area, said, "I walked into their frame shop and bought a Dan Namingha. It was $3,000 and think I paid $100 a month for a long time. I've been working with the Greens ever since, buying paintings, lithos and sculptures, and over the years we've become friends. They're really fine people," she said.

Glenn Green says through the years they've helped many artists with the financial end of art, often becoming patrons. "Much of this has been funding bronze castings. This is expensive and if we think an artist needs a boost getting started, we'll step in. It's a way of reinvesting in the business," he said. "We also work with many museums around the world setting up exhibits of artists, some on location, some touring."

When the Greens decided to expand operations from Arizona, they moved their gallery to Santa Fe in 1979, opening up a second place where artists could show. Five years ago they moved again, to a 5 1/2-acre tract in Tesuque. The gallery is next to their home and most of the acreage has been turned into a sculpture garden.

Their daughter Kerry Green is now the gallery manager and says she made her first sale when she was 3 years old.

"I grew up knowing many of the artists. They became friends. It's been fun," she said.

The gallery plans a multi-artist exhibit for July 11 to celebrate its 42 years of business.

"It's from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and many of the artists will be in attendance," Kerry Green said.