Art World Mourns Loss of Loved Art Dealer

It is with great sadness that we share the following. Gary R. Haynes, noted Nashville advertising executive and longtime leader in the fine arts community, died peacefully on January 26 of complications from Covid-19 at the age of 75.

From the Haynes Galleries team: “Gary was not just the founder of Haynes Galleries, but the driving force behind everything we did. Throughout his life, Gary set an example of passion, determination, and talent in leveraging his love of all things creative into a successful career that touched countless lives. We will miss him immensely.”

From The Tennessean:

Born in Newport News, Virginia to the late Elsie and Conley Haynes on May 21, 1945 after his father’s return from World War II, Gary grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee before moving to Nashville to pursue a career as a commercial artist. He attended the University of Tennessee and Harris School of Advertising Art, and then found a lifelong mentor in Eric Ericson. As his career progressed, Gary became more involved in the business side of advertising and put down his own brushes. After Eric’s passing, Gary eventually owned and operated Ericson Marketing Communications as one of the South’s top advertising agencies.

During his 30 years in the ad business, his love of fine art never diminished. He quietly bought, sold, and collected art by American Realists of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as the Wyeth family whom he had admired since high school art class. He sold the agency in 1999, converting its headquarters at the historic Fall School building in Nashville into executive suites.

After a twenty-five-year hiatus, he started painting again and holding art classes there, while another section of the sprawling building served as a gallery for rotating exhibits of his favorite works. In 2008, he sold the building. Now with a substantial collection of art spanning three centuries, he had unintentionally become retired. The concept for Haynes Galleries began to coalesce.

Launched in 2010 and specializing in American Realism and a resource center for collectors, Haynes Galleries offered world-class collections from locations in midcoast Maine, midtown Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. While there is a decided emphasis on the Wyeths—N. C., Andrew, Jamie, Carolyn, and Henriette—other icons such as Norman Rockwell, John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer and the stars of today’s Realist movement are equally well represented.

Throughout his life, Gary set an example of passion, determination, and talent in leveraging his love of all things creative into a highly successful career that touched countless lives. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, JoAnne Haynes of Nashville; son Gary Robert Haynes Jr. (Dana); step-sons Jeremy Sheridan (Jessica) and Timothy Bourriague (Ayaan); grandchildren Hunter Haynes (Brittany), Riley Sheridan and Reagan Sheridan, and Caaliyah Bourriague (Anisah Bourriague predeceased); great-grandson Roman Haynes; and his late brother Conley’s widow Marcia and children Matthew Haynes (Helen) and Suzanne Haynes.