New Braunfels' vibrant art scene was elevated when local favorite Lark Mason arrived in 2014. His presence and signature bow ties bring warmth and smiles wherever he goes. During a visit to the Lark Mason Gallery at Mill Street and N. Casteel Ave, I enjoyed a fascinating tour showcasing Mason's life and legacy.
With a profound understanding of the history behind every piece that graces the walls and cases of the Gallery, Lark Mason takes delight in sharing these facts. His passion for blending history with modern life is evident within these walls. This gallery, his first project in town, was a result of a request from the historical society to relocate a group of structures from the 1850s away from I35. Lark's detailed and fervent explanation of the Blockwork German masonry technique used to create the original structure is a testament to his love for history. The front of the building remains true to its original form, but Lark and his designers have successfully married the old with the new, as the rear of the building is modern and bright with large, expansive windows. The original appeal and history have been preserved, allowing visitors to appreciate the past while embracing the present.
As with everything in Mason's word, we look to his history to understand and appreciate his current life. That history started with their humble upbringing in Georgia after his family moved there from New York City after his birth in 1954. While Mason studied at Georgia State University, his family moved to Tennessee, where he later transferred. Mason completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee. He then went on to complete his MBA at Georgia Tech in 1978.
It was during his time at Georgia Tech that he opened Arcade Antiques, where his love of the arts and their history truly flourished. Following his graduation, he successfully earned a coveted spot on the yearlong program in London, Works of Art, funded by Sotheby's.
Once Mason returned stateside, he was the top pick from the London program, and he began his 25-year career with Sotheby's in New York City. Mason opted to join the appraisals department and started work as a general appraiser. "That was the foundation on which I was able to build," he says. Around this time, he met his wife Erica Mason, who also had a prominent singing career off-Broadway and started the East Side Dance Studio. They now have three children: Joanna Mason Anderson, Lark Mason III, and Melissa Mason Gibson.
Mason's career at Sotheby's was not linear but dynamic, embracing new passions and projects. He was granted a rare sabbatical to fulfill a unique request from Wang Shi Xiang, former director of the Palace Museum in Beijing, to help translate Wang's "Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture". Mason, with his family, traveled to Hong Kong and Beijing. His love for Asian art has influenced his son, who now possesses excellent mastery of the culture and art.
In 1996, when PBS was debuting the Antique Roadshow, they enlisted Mason as one of the experts. His extensive knowledge as a general appraiser with Sotheby's enabled him to flourish, and he still works with the show to this day.
During the early days of the Internet, Mason realized the importance of creating an auction platform that would allow people outside of New York to participate in the same auctions as those in the city. This vision led to the creation of iGavel.com, an online auction house that has since become a significant player in the art market, with locations in New York City and New Braunfels. Mason's innovative approach to the art market has not only expanded its reach but also made it more accessible to a wider audience.
However, when a move away from a full-time residence in New York was on the horizon, Lark and his family wondered where to lay roots. Thanks to his son Lark Mason III and his wife Izzy, who grew up in central Texas, that move became an easy choice. With that, he has now woven himself into the rich tapestry of New Braunfels. Lark has several properties throughout the community, each with special meaning and purpose. For now, the Masons find themselves in an extensive remodel of a home in town. The property was part of a large pecan orchard. Lark says, "All of the trees lined up around the home are about 150 to 175 years old," with two large barns that have been
rehabilitated and restored.
As with all in the Masons' world, their history has shaped their present, and we are pleased they have found their way home.