Walking into the space on Sunset Boulevard used to feel like stepping into a secret club for the aesthetically obsessed. Gremillion & Co. Fine Art wasn't just a gallery; it was a vibe. If you’ve spent any time in the Houston art scene over the last forty years, you know exactly what I mean. It had this museum-scale ambition but felt weirdly personal, mostly because Ron Gremillion spent decades treating the business less like a retail shop and more like a support system for "serious artists."
Now, it’s 2026. Things have changed.
People get confused when they drive by the Rice Village area now. They see the name Horizon on Sunset and wonder if the original gallery just vanished into the ether. Honestly, it’s more of a metamorphosis. The physical location at 2501 Sunset Blvd didn’t just close up shop and become a bank. It evolved into a "multifaceted event space" that still keeps art at its core, but the way we interact with Gremillion & Co. Fine Art has shifted into this hybrid of legacy and new-school events.
What Gremillion & Co. Fine Art Actually Was (and Is)
Basically, Ron Gremillion started this whole thing back in 1979 or 1980, depending on who you ask and how they count the early years. He came out of the University of Dallas with a painting degree and a mission: spare artists from "financial anxieties." That’s a noble goal, but in the art world, it’s also incredibly hard to pull off. Yet, he did it for over four decades.
The gallery became famous for representing a mix of heavy hitters and local legends. We're talking about names like Knox Martin, Christian Renonciat, and Fernando Casas. They weren't just selling "pretty pictures" to match someone's sofa. The inventory—which at its peak was over 500 unique works—included everything from massive sculptures by Philip Pavia to the enigmatic photography of Kimberly Gremillion.
It was a powerhouse.
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When Ron decided to retire around 2021, the art community held its collective breath. You don’t just replace a 40-year institution. But the "chosen family" at the gallery—specifically Trish Matute, Brian Freeze, and Harwood Taylor—kept the flame alive. They understood that the physical space needed to do more than just hang paintings to survive in the mid-2020s.
The Big Pivot: From Gallery to Horizon on Sunset
If you're looking for the traditional Gremillion & Co. Fine Art experience today, you have to look at Horizon on Sunset. It’s the same landmark building designed by architect Jim Lass, but it’s been refreshed. It’s now a 21,000-square-foot complex that includes an annex, a sculpture garden, and a residential property on Nottingham Street that serves as a catering kitchen and guest apartments for visiting artists.
Sorta brilliant, if you think about it.
They’ve moved toward these "industry spotlights." One of their first big reopening shows, Merging Worlds, didn't feature full-time gallery regulars but rather four physicians—like Dr. Frank Mahzari and Dr. R. Joe Ybarra—who juggle high-pressure medical careers with serious painting practices. It’s a different way of looking at creativity. It acknowledges that in 2026, the "starving artist" trope is a bit tired. People want to see how art intersects with real life, medicine, law, and even energy.
Why the "Final Sale" Wasn't Really the End
There was a lot of buzz a couple of years back about the "First and Last Mega Sale." People were snagging works from the personal collection of Ron Gremillion for anywhere from $200 to $200,000. It felt like an ending.
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It wasn't.
What people often get wrong is thinking that the Gremillion brand died with that sale. In reality, it was a clearing of the decks. It allowed the new leadership to "dream the myth forward," as Carl Jung might say. The gallery space on the second floor still showcases curated collections, but the building now breathes differently. You might be there for a corporate gala or a wedding, but you’re still surrounded by that same high-caliber contemporary art that made Gremillion a household name in River Oaks and West U.
The E-E-A-T Factor: Why This Gallery Matters Today
Look, anyone can open a room and hang canvases. But Gremillion & Co. Fine Art survived the 80s oil bust, the 2008 crash, and a global pandemic because they had real expertise. They weren't just "dealers"; they were consultants.
- Deep Catalog: They maintained relationships with European and American artists for 30+ years.
- Architectural Integration: The space itself was designed to be a "blank canvas" for art, not just a retail floor.
- Community Support: They’ve consistently partnered with Houston charities, from environmental causes to medical non-profits.
The current iteration under Trish Matute and the team continues this. They are still making studio visits. They are still finding fresh talent. They just realized that the "white cube" gallery model needed a little more soul—and maybe a better courtyard for parties.
Actionable Steps for Art Collectors in 2026
If you’re trying to navigate the "new" Gremillion or the Houston art scene in general, here is how you should actually handle it.
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First, don't just show up and expect a quiet library. Check the Horizon on Sunset calendar. If there’s an opening or an industry spotlight event, go to that. It’s where the energy is now. The "appointment-only" vibe of the old days has given way to a more "active event" vibe.
Second, if you're a collector looking for the specific Gremillion "stable" of artists—the likes of Steven Alexander or Nicola Parente—don't assume they've vanished. Reach out to the team directly. Most of the long-standing relationships with these painters and sculptors survived the transition.
Third, pay attention to the architecture when you visit. The way Jim Lass designed the lighting and the movable walls in the Main Gallery is still a masterclass in how to display fine art. It’s worth a visit just to see how 2,800 square feet of space can be manipulated to change your perspective on a single sculpture.
Finally, keep an eye on the Nottingham property. The fact that they built a "catering kitchen" and "guest apartments" tells you everything about where fine art is going. It's becoming an experience. It’s not just something you buy; it’s something you inhabit.
The era of the untouchable, snobby art gallery is over. Gremillion & Co. Fine Art saw that coming and changed the game before everyone else did. That’s why, even in 2026, everyone is still talking about what’s happening on Sunset Boulevard.
Start your 2026 collection by visiting the Horizon on Sunset website to view the current exhibition schedule or to book a private viewing of the legacy Gremillion collection.