Minding Your Business- Gallery Antonia

“I’m going to follow my interest,” said Dominic Boreffi, owner of Gallery Antonia in Chatham. “That’s what I always tell people and that’s what I have done here.”

Those are great words of advice from someone who knows his stuff. When you think about the art scene and one-of-a-kind local galleries in Chatham, Dominic Boreffi and Gallery Antonia definitely come to mind. 

The gallery, named after his beloved grandmother, is located on the second floor in the Cornfield building on Main Street in West Chatham. Boreffi — who also holds his real estate license as an agent with Robert Paul Properties, is a board member of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association and also serves on the board of the Creative Arts Center CAC) in Chatham — opened the fine art gallery in 2010. He prides himself on featuring a vast array of local and regional artists. 

Walking throughout the carefully curated and bright space, visitors will find works from artists like the late Peg Falconer (co-founder of the Creative Arts Center), estate pieces by Chatham watercolorist Jack Garver, and art by Ginny Nickerson, William R. Davis, Ann Hart, Vera Champlin and so many more. 

“Gallery Antonia has always been really eclectic,” Boreffi said. “We try to have different things and different options for people. This is a great time for people who love art.”

Throughout the year, the gallery features individual solo shows, group shows and a very popular summer watercolor show. Events take place both inside the gallery and on the open-air deck. All events are updated on the gallery website, galleryantonia.com.

As part of the art community in Chatham for over 20 years, Boreffi has built both his business and his reputation on his partnerships and relationships. He works closely with the Cape Rep Theater, planning special events at the Chatham Orpheum and of course his close relationship with the CAC. 

At the CAC Boreffi serves on the board, but also lends his talents offering portfolio reviews and marketing strategies for emerging artists. He considers the local community extremely lucky to have a place like the CAC.

“The CAC is the epicenter of the fine arts community here,” Boreffi said. “It gives us a unique base with classes, a fantastic festival in August. With such a great team of people there, the art center is humming and thriving.”

Boreffi is a friend to many in town and on the Lower Cape. He strongly believes that lasting partnerships are the glue that holds the community together. Whether he is helping folks stage a home for sale by placing original artwork or teaming up with his friends and neighbors like Nancy Dougenik with JND Design, who just moved in next door to him, Boreffi holds firm to his belief that “we are all in this together.”

“I am always so happy when new galleries open in town," Boreffi said. “I am honestly really happy to see that. We are a destination here. People that love art will come to Chatham. They will hit up all of the galleries here, then in Wellfleet, Provincetown.”

Boreffi closes Gallery Antonia briefly in the winter for his two-month annual gig in Charleston, S.C. working in collaboration with the Horton Hayes Fine Art Gallery (hortonhayes.com). Mark Horton is also a featured artist in Gallery Antonia as well, so be sure to check his work out next time you visit the gallery.

Gallery Antonia is open most days of the week; check out current  hours on the website. The gallery will be closed in February and March, so be sure to stop in soon! 

1291 Main St., 2nd Level 

Chatham

​508-469-4020

galleryantonia.com