Page 22 - LIN November 2022 Issue

KRISTINE MEEK AND JULIANA MEEK

ASK THE

www.harmonmeek.com
Bill Meek, A Naples Institution 599 NINTH STREET NORTH, SUITE 309
NAPLES, FL 34102 239.261.2637

Dear Artsperts, As a student, at Florida Southern College, Bill majored in economics
Bill Meek has been an art dealer in Naples for as long as I can remember. and minored in art. His economics professors couldn’t understand why
When I think of Naples and art, Bill Meek always comes to mind first! he was bothering with art, and his art professors felt likewise about eco-
How long has he been an art dealer? nomics. However, the combination turned out perfectly for the future
art dealer.
Signed, Golden Bill purchased Harmon Gallery in 1978. In the years since, Bill has
certainly gone far in the art world. He has a true and deep passion for
Dear Golden, art and the artists he represents. Some of these professional relation-
November 2022 marks 50 years that our father, William “Bill” Meek has ships have lasted decades. Artists become immortal through their work,
been with Harmon-Meek Gallery. Several years ago, Joseph Hirshhorn and as such we continue forward working with the heirs of artists estates
and foundations, in honoring the life work of important artists.
dedicated his speech for the opening of the Hirshhorn Museum with What has set Bill apart from most art dealers is his extensive work
the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. to Bill Meek. On the dedication, with museums. Bill has loaned over 200 exhibitions to 94 museums in
Hirschhorn wrote “To a young man who will go far in the art world…” 28 states. He has arranged gifts of major collections of works to the Polk
With a smile, Bill will often say he has gone far and has had a far impact, Museum of Art in Lakeland and locally in Naples with the Museum
considering he has been in Naples for the entirety of his career. of Art (Baker Museum), von Liebig Art Center (Naples Art), and
In 1972, Bill was fresh out college and Reserve Officer Training Children’s Museum of Naples.
Boot Camp, when he was hired as an assistant director under Foster Bill was the first art dealer awarded the New York Artists’ Equity
Harmon of Harmon Gallery in Naples. Bill first gained interest in art Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Visual Arts. This is an
as a boy when his father was an officer in the Army and stationed in organization started in part to help protect artists from unscrupulous
France and Italy, where art has always been ubiquitous. Bill’s father dealers. Bill was honored with this recognition because he has always
retired from the Army in the 60s and settled in Naples as he had hoped stood out for his integrity and passionate belief in the transcendental
when he learned of Naples during World War II training exercises here. nature of visual arts.
Bill was still a teen in the 60s and graduated from Naples High in , 68. Sincerely, The Artsperts

A future art dealer, Bill Meek as a boy watches Will Barnet (1911-2012) with Bill Meek at Barnet’s Bill Meek with Juliana Meek and Tobi Kahn at
an artist at work in France. Bill’s father was studio in New York. Will painted this work to Kahn’s exhibition at the Museum of Art in DeLand.
stationed in France as an officer in the US Army depict their relationship as artist and art dealer, Bill Meek has arranged hundreds of museum
in the 50s. possibly one of the only paintings of the kind exhibitions across the nation.
by an American Master.

22 Life in Naples November 2022