Bob Malenfant

Director

Bob was born in Canada, but his family lived internationally throughout his childhood.  He has lived in Switzerland, South Africa, Australia and Paris.  Bob attended high school at the American School in Paris and studied Art History at the University of Michigan where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.  After graduation, he began a year-long internship with Christie's in London and spent another year working at A & F Gordon.  He and his wife Lisa came back to the states in 1984 and Bob started his career with Southwest Gallery in 1988.  He became partner in 1995, just as the gallery was moving to it's current location of Sigma Rd. in North Dallas. Bob also has a daughter, Michelle, who attends Greenhill and works with the gallery in her free time.

Melissa Butler

Manager

Melissa began her career at Southwest Gallery after receiving her degree in Art from Stephen F. Austin State University. She also studied printmaking at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris as well at the Glassell School of Art in Houston, where her primary focus was abstract works on paper. She worked in Houston for several years as an artist and frame designer then in 1979 she happily moved back to her birthplace, Dallas, to marry her high school sweetheart and began working at Southwest Gallery. Wearing many hats for the gallery, her work over the years has included gallery manager, frame designer, advertising manager, jewelry and object d'art buyer.

Susan Carson

Sales Associate

Susan is a native of both Texas and Oklahoma and received a degree in Art and Photography from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. She moved to Dallas in 1985 and has worked for Southwest Gallery ever since. She began as a frame designer but became a sales associate one year later. Susan enjoys the eclectic nature of selling art, there is always someone new coming through the door and finding the piece that's just right for them is a challenge that she enjoys. She also appreciates that selling art isn't the typical sales job, it's much more personal and emotional for the buyer. Susan spends her free time playing various musical instruments in a local indie-acoustic band. But she assures us, she isn't quitting her day job anytime soon.

Michael Downs

Sales Associate

Michael was born and raised in Dallas and received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from Texas Tech University. He studied design communication and illustration, which helps him guide his clients in their art buying experience. He has worked at Southwest Gallery as Sales Associate since 1992 in addition to pursuing his own creative desires, as well as being an active outdoorsman and a life member of The Safari Club.

Laura Way

Frame Designer

Laura was born in Dallas, Texas. She moved to Savannah, Georgia in 2009 to attend College of Art and Design. She received her BFA as well as her MFA in painting from SCAD. After husbands military career came to an end, they decided to move back to Dallas. Laura grew up coming to Southwest Gallery, which was her inspiration for becoming an artist. It was a dream come true when she started her career at the gallery.

Paul Walden

Artist in Residence

Paul has been with the gallery since we opened our doors in 1967. He has done a little bit of everything over the years, including selling and framing at the original Main Street location downtown. He is currently our in-house art restorer as well as one of our most popular gallery artists. He works in an abstract expressionist style on monumental canvases. His work is defined by experimentation with texture and color.

Dana Thompson

IT/Web Marketing

Dana was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She started at Southwest Gallery in 2007 while attending college working towards design degree. With the talent shown she now runs the IT Department including graphic/web design and maintenence, amazon, web marketing, social media and IT maintenence. Dana is certified in graphic and web design and recently got married to the love of her life, Coleman.

Heriberto Gomez

Frame Shop Manager

Heriberto has lived in Dallas since 1982, but he grew up in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and has been at Southwest Gallery since 1994. As the frame shop manager he oversees the construction of all framing projects. He enjoys being a part of the framing process from start to finish. He tries to get back to Honduras every couple of years to visit his large extended family.

Luz Hernandez

Frame Shop

Michelle Malenfant

Gallery Assistant

Michelle was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She is a student at Greenhill and a part time employee at Southwest Gallery. Michelle is a huge asset in helping with inventory, shows and reception work. Michelle is also an excellent dancer!

Hamlet Mojarro

Art Installer

Hamlet was born in Mexico City and moved to Dallas, Texas when he was 10 years old. He is currently in college studying to be an engineer and works for the gallery part time. Hamlet is also a phenomenal musician, mastering 10 different instruments since the age of 10!