More than just a gallery: Perfect Hanging Gallery

STORY BY MAIN STREET SQUARE // PHOTOS BY ANDY GREENMAN

When Chance Whelchel came to Rapid City in May 2011 he had no idea how his life would change in just a few visits. Having recently graduated from Chadron State College, Chance was trying to figure out what his next move was; like most postgraduates, stability and benefits were a major attractor to Rapid City. Chance, who is an art enthusiast, attended an art show at the Dahl and as fate would have it, the featured artist was from Chadron. “To come to Rapid City and see an artist featured that I knew was really impressive,” stated Whelchel. “Rapid City felt right for me,” he added.

Chance liked creating art and has a degree in fine arts with an emphasis in psychology but was never an artist himself, he was more intrigued by the artist’s process. That intrigue led him to Perfect Hanging Gallery as an employee working under owner Pam Keller. “I was able to learn a lot from Pam and was able to take everything I learned from working at the frame/gift shop in Chadron to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase the store with Mike,” stated Whelchel. Mike Stanley is Chance’s husband and business partner. Between the two they have been able to grow a 40-year business into one of the most successful frame shops and art galleries in the region. “I never wanted to own a business as I saw firsthand how much work it took to run a successful business. It’s a 24-7 job and I was not interested in that lifestyle,” stated Whelchel. “When Pam made the comment that she wanted to spend more time with her grandkids and was thinking of selling, I was more worried about being unemployed, so we started the process to buy the store,” added Whelchel.

In 2018, Chance and Mike moved the Perfect Hanging Gallery out of the Shops at Main Street Square to its current location: 621 Main Street. “We came across the space by accident, I was parked in front of the store, and it had a for sale by owner sign in the window, we noticed two working spaces and realized it was perfect for our idea,” said Chance. “We wanted to create a space where we could expand our services as well as create a place where people can come and feel welcome. I wanted to create that same feel in downtown Rapid City, and we did it,” added Whelchel.

What is so unique about the Perfect Hanging Gallery is how it is a gift shop and art gallery in addition a custom framing business. The Perfect Hanging Gallery hosts an artist reception once every two months where a regional artist gets to showcase their art in front of upwards of 100 enthusiasts. This has become so popular that the gallery is booked until 2023 with artists looking to share and sell their art. Over the years Chance has

been able to continue to offer customers items that are hard to find. “We wanted to be the go-to store for certain items in the community, we started by carrying items you couldn’t find on Amazon in an effort to encourage people to buy locally and we also try new brands and items,” stated Whelchel. “Chance has such a good eye for new and contemporary art and has mastered the use of social media to build the brand of Perfect Hanging Gallery. The artists in the region respect him and the community does as well,” added Stanley.

As Rapid City continues to evolve into an arts and entertainment community the Perfect Hanging Gallery and owners Chance Whelchel and Mike Stanley will continue to champion the local artists, the arts and all aspects of the process of art creation. ▤