Stohans Gallery-Established in 1977- Over 30 Years in Business!
Daryl Stokes, being one of the original owners of Stohans, is still the active and main operating manager of this company.
To View Current Redwood Abstract Sculptures by Daryl Stokes Please Click Here.
Photo By Pat Hathaway
THE HISTORY of STOHANS GALLERY
In the early 1970's, Daryl Stokes completed studies of fine arts at the University of South Florida in Tampa and ventured west to Monterey, Ca. While living in a bungalow on Jacks Peak, Stokes built a small workshop and began designing and creating redwood furniture as a hobby. Originally an abstract expressionist painter, he became intrigued with driftwood and burls. The endless array of shapes and sizes lent themselves to unique freeform designs.
Daryl Stokes cleaning a redwood stump.
Daryl, showing abstract redwood sculpture.
A fellow woodworker, Greg Hansen, became fascinated by Stokes creations of driftwood furniture. Combining efforts, Stokes and Hansen began developing new techniques and design concepts for the production of a unique style of natural
wood furnishings. Thus, the name "STOHANS" evolved.
Daryl Stokes & Greg Hansen
Daryl, creating Stohans sign.
In October 1977, Stohans opened a small gallery at 807 Cannery Row.
The gallery was a unique organic environment with groupings of sofas
and chairs covered with leather and sheepskins, driftwood bars, lamps
and various freeform burl tables.
Original Stohans Gallery at 807 Cannery Row {second
floor}
Public response was very favorable and increasing popularity made it necessary to create more products. The small workshop in Jacks Peak could not keep up with the demand and more area was needed for raw wood storage. A year later, Stohans secured a new shop location at 484 Cannery Row. It was housed in the large cannery building called the San Xavier. The reduction plant still had remnants of the old fishing industry machines and equipment. Situated at the shoreline's edge,
the tall wooden building, isolated by vacant lots with other
cement cannery foundations, served as a truly inspirational setting for
the artistic endeavors of Stokes and Hansen.
Stohans Gallery at 484
Cannery Row
View of Cannery Row &
driftwood piles.
View of San Xavier Cannery &
old foundations.
In the months that followed, new woodworking facilities were built
and Stohans began hiring and training more craftsman. Masses of driftwood
were salvaged from northern California beaches and burls hauled down
from logged-off mountains. Unusual interior showroom areas were developed
and decorated with huge redwood panels hand cut with Alaskan chainsaw
mills. Large milled timbers were assembled to create room areas and display structures. Thick redwood slabs were utilized for massive display tables, shelving units, and benches. Outdoor courtyard areas were also created with driftwood landscapes, outdoor sculptures, cascading fountains, and unfinished burl tables.
Loading massive redwood stumps
Stohans original crew.
Daryl, cutting with 7' chain saw.
Daryl & Steve cutting log
with Alaska chain saw mill.
Daryl, posing with 6'
chain saw
Cliff Short, standing on top.
Photo By Pat Hathaway
THE HISTORY of STOHANS GALLERY
For several years, Stohans continued to enlarge its production capacity
and began supplying other galleries in San Francisco, Santa Barbara,
and Lake Tahoe. Eventually, Stokes decided that the wholesale ventures
became increasingly repetitive and artistically restraining, so he began
concentrating more energy into designing more exotic, specialized pieces
which could only be found at the Stohans Gallery. Because of this new
versatility, Stohans produced many custom-order furnishings
which included complete driftwood furniture groups for rooms, offices,
restaurants, and entire homes.
Driftwood Furniture Group
Suspended Fountain & Abstract
Redwood Sculpture
Bar & Stools Group
During the 1980's, Stohans began producing original new designs of
indoor/outdoor redwood fountains and massive waterfalls made from
hollowed-out burls. Exotic furniture pieces were also conceived and
included enormous curved sofas and lounges upholstered with sheepskins.
There were beds, dressers, huge mirrors, standing lamps, bar sets,
wall designs, abstract sculptures, and many other
incredible one-of a kind pieces.
Redwood Lampstand with
wood veneer lamp shade
9' long Curved Sofa
with Sheepskin Upholstery
Abstract Redwood Sculpture
"Rhythmn & Power" 7' tall
Redwood Burl 2-level
glass top coffee table
Redwood & Copper
Waterfall
Redwood Glass Top
Executive Desk
Stohans became increasingly popular as a tourist destination and achieved recognition as one of the most unique galleries in the California central coast. Among the many delighted visitors, one man called it "A visual feast!"
It was always difficult to describe the store, you just had to experience it?
for yourself. Stohans participation in Cannery Row's strong tourist industry?
was conducive to the gallery's development of national and international
clientel. Many of their purchases were crated and shipped coast to coast as well as world wide.
Gallery Displays
Gallery Main Entrance
Gallery Sales Counter
Daryl- seated on Curved Sofa
Daryl's Office
Daryl, relaxing on Chaise Lounge
Throughout the late 1980's and early 1990's, Stohans continued to diversify and offered over 150 various artists works and other related product lines, as well as the pieces created on site. The gallery evolved as a Cannery Row landmark, drawing thousands of annual visitors and bridging the gap on the street.
Photo Courtesy Tom Weber
THE HISTORY of STOHANS GALLERY
Stohans made constant efforts to maintain the old building and its grounds to retain its romantic appeal and historic significance. It was one of the last authentic cannery buildings left on the street. Even though the property was not ours, we loved the old building and worked to keep its ambiance alive.
View of San Xavier Cannery & old foundations
Daryl, cutting redwood log.
The property was sold for a future developement and Stohans now is situated at The Monterey Plaza Hotel
Featuring some of the most unique waterfall fountains on the market, Stohans,
has expanded the lines to include many unique water wall fountains, etched fountains, simulated stone fountains, aqua columns, bubble panels, kinetic wood sculptures and much more.
Custom water walls and water windows for both residential and commercial usage has taken front stage in the market place and Daryl, with so many options now available, including fountains with LCDs, looks forward to an opportunity to assist you in chosing a fountain for your home or commercial needs.
