Would you like to buy one of Henry Miller’s watercolors? His art dealer presents a pop-up exhibit.

This week and weekend is all about writer Henry Miller (1891-1980) who spent 18 years living and working in Big Sur. There’s a four-day symposium kicking off Thursday morning, Oct. 16, "Henry Miller in the 21st Century," and a play based on one of Miller’s short stories (Smile: A Clown’s Ascension) to be seen in various local venues between Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 19.

The third attraction is a pop-up exhibit put together by Henry Miller’s art dealer and art publisher Gary Koeppel, the former owner of the Coast Gallery in Big Sur, which he ran for 45 years before selling it in 2015. 

The exhibit, titled "The Art of Play," is viewable 10am-7pm Friday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 19 at Asilomar Conference Grounds (hosting the symposium) in a space known as the Kiln Meeting Hall. It features over 60 framed artworks, exhibition catalogs, posters and unique collectibles from the Henry Miller Publisher's Archive.

When Koeppel bought the Coast Gallery in 1971, he found “a cache of Henry Miller’s paintings and prints and a couple of the art portfolios,” he says. They had been consigned to the gallery before Koeppel took over (the gallery was founded in 1958 by Laverne Allen). He decided to return the art to the artist.

By then, Miller had already moved to Pacific Palisades, so Koeppel decided to take a trip.

He appeared at Miller’s door with two large portfolios of works. He says he walked up to the front door and saw a long note. It started with a sentence: "When a man has reached his old days and has fulfilled his mission, he has a right to confront the idea of death in peace.” In next sentences Miller stated that it’s not OK “to seek out such a man, plague him with chatter, and make him suffer banalities.” 

Koeppel decided to turn around, but then, the door opened. “There stood Henry Miller in his pajamas and bathrobe and slippers,” Koeppel says. “When I told him I was returning his art to him, he said, ‘Well, nobody ever brings anything back, don't you know?’” 

The two men spent four hours talking in Miller's house. After that, Koeppel became Miller's art dealer and art publisher for the last 15 years of the writer's life.

Over time, Koeppel built over time what he calls Miller's Publishers Archive, from which he drew to create the upcoming exhibit. There will be some of Miller’s watercolors for sale, as well as all kinds of prints, catalogues, posters and memorabilia.

If you ever wanted to have a Henry Miller painting above your fireplace—and remember that Miller earned his living as a painter before he started publishing his books in the U.S.—this is your chance. It's also a chance to see Miller's works, even for those who are not in the market. 

For more about the symposium, check out the Oct. 16 cover story of the Weekly, or visit henrymiller21stcentury.com.