The family tradition that Heritage Gallery is based upon is the tradition of producing and sharing art.

The tradition began with George Benvie, a wood carver and drawer. His carvings can be seen at Church of the Ascension, Cranston, Rhode Island. There are only few examples of his work remaining but the influence of this creativity and artistic ambition continued with his son, Chris.

Chris Benvie (1919-1995) was a prolific oil painter. Chris, was considered a New England Impressionist. His paintings, primarily in oils, are scenes of New England in an impressionistic palette and style. People said his daughter, Alice, inherited her father’s talent but what she inherited was the drive he had for the creative process.

Alice Benvie Gebhart, gallery owner and glass artist, works in the gallery’s studio. Although Alice began as an oil painter like her father, she now works exclusively with kiln fired glass. A trained art educator, Alice divides her time between teaching art around the state and creating one-of-a-kind glass art. Her son, Nick, shares the artistic gene.

Nick Gebhart is a fourth generation artist. He carries on the family heritage as an oil painter. Even though he comes from a family of artists, his work is strictly his own. His paintings are distinct. Nick works at the gallery as well.