About The Golden Gallery

Welcome to The Golden Gallery, your cozy and unique art oasis nestled in beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina! Here, every piece of art you see is lovingly crafted by a remarkable family of artists, making your visit a truly special experience. Founded in 1977 by the talented Mary Ellen Golden, our gallery is located in the historic Cotton Exchange in downtown Wilmington, NC. It has blossomed into a beloved destination for both our local community and visitors alike.

Mary Ellen, a celebrated watercolor artist, is renowned for her mesmerizing portrayals of the stunning landmarks and cherished spots along the picturesque Cape Fear Coast. Her artwork has found a home in many local residences, and some pieces have even traveled to far corners of the globe! Truly, no other local artist has captured the essence of southeast North Carolina quite like she has.

Growing up in Rose Hill, NC, Mary Ellen displayed her artistic talent from an early age, beginning formal lessons at just 12 years old. While she initially preferred oil painting and pursued a college degree in art, her passion for realism eventually inspired her to shift her focus to English studies, straying from the artistic trends of the early 1960s. After spending several years teaching high school English and raising her children, her artistic passion simmered but never extinguished.

Several years later, Mary Ellen found herself in Charleston, SC, where she rediscovered her artistic spirit by studying watercolor with the wonderfully talented Virginia Fouche Bolton. When her family relocated to Wilmington in 1977, she felt ready to dive back into her passion as a watercolor artist. While there, she discovered an empty storefront in the Cotton Exchange, where she opened the doors to The Golden Gallery. With the support of her husband, John C. Golden, they filled the gallery not only with her breathtaking paintings but also with the melodic sounds of his guitar and enchanting songs inspired by local folklore and history.

We invite you to come visit us at The Golden Gallery, where we celebrate not only the rich artistic heritage of our family but also the beauty and stories captured in our artwork!

When Mary Ellen opened the gallery, their son, John W. Golden, was just a fifth grader. He spent many afternoons exploring both the gallery and downtown Wilmington. Always encouraging his artistic pursuits, Mary Ellen helped him cultivate his talent, and before he turned 11, he was selling his work alongside his mother’s.

Following his artistic path, she encouraged him to pursue a degree in Graphic Design, which he happily did, adding a minor in photography. Upon returning from college, John began showcasing his photography alongside the art he created as a teenager. His adventures in the design world led him to work on projects for well-known companies like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. However, he returned to Wilmington in 1999 and has been creating fresh artwork and photography for the gallery ever since, stepping up to operate the gallery himself when Mary Ellen retired in 2019.

John W. Golden’s artistic endeavors are deeply rooted in the digital realm. As an early adopter of computers in his design work, he has developed remarkable illustration skills that you can admire in his Saltwater and Freshwater Fish Art, along with charming illustrations of dog and cat breeds. His captivating Rovinato photo series artfully captures the textures of his childhood in downtown Wilmington, layering those memories with local landmarks to create hauntingly beautiful images that often evoke the magic of paintings. 

Come along and experience the charm, stories, and creativity that make The Golden Gallery a truly enchanting place!