Two new Atlanta galleries open this weekend, while another launches a 10th anniversary show.
Atlanta’s Cultural Affairs office opens downtown space
The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs inaugurates Gallery 72 in the lobby of the former Atlanta Journal-Constitution building downtown with the exhibit “Foreword,” opening with a 6-8 p.m. Thursday public reception.
The art gallery, in the building renamed 2 City Plaza and now home to the city of Atlanta offices, was designed by the Atlanta firm Stanley Beaman & Sears following a competition organized by the Office of Cultural Affairs in 2012.
The lobby renovation separates the 3,400-square-foot space into three distinct zones — a south gallery, a north gallery and entry area. The south gallery will showcase a variety of art forms; the north gallery will focus on digital artwork. There also is a small sculpture garden out front.
“Foreword” includes works by Craig Drennen, Nikita Gale, Pablo Gnecco, InKyoung Chun, Julia Venske and Gregor Spanle.
The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs said it will collaborate with local curators, galleries and artists to exhibit art of the region in rotating shows while also making the space available for national and international exhibitions. The opening exhibit features work presented in cooperation with Atlanta’s Marcia Wood, Saltworks and Poem 88 galleries.
The renovation incorporates a significant architectural element — aluminum panels that extend up the lobby back wall behind the reception desk, traverse the ceiling and then go out through the building entrance and, finally, shoot up the south building facade, rising eight stories. The Office of Cultural Affairs said the design element is intended to function as a “marquee” for the new gallery space as well as the building, to draw pedestrian traffic inside.
Gallery 72 will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 72 Marietta St., Atlanta. 404-546-6788, www.ocaatlanta.com.
New contemporary gallery in Old 4th Ward
Gray Miller West Gallery, specializing in contemporary fine art, opens Friday in the Tribute Lofts in the Old Fourth Ward.
The inaugural show features Clay Hood, an Atlanta College of Art graduate now living in Birmingham, Ala., who expresses himself in a “colorful, eclectic, modern primitive style,” according to the gallery. Hood will give a free gallery talk at 2 p.m. Saturday.
On his website, Hood said his repeated depiction of eyes in his portraits and other compositions "serves as a commentary on the misperceptions of the world."
The new gallery is a partnership of longtime Atlanta art scene denizens Nic Miller, Vance West and September Gray.
Through June 5. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. 480 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. N.E., Suite 160, Atlanta. 404-502-3775, www.graymillerwest.com.
Mason Murer celebrates 10 years
Observing its 10th anniversary, Mason Murer Fine Art looks back and forward with two shows opening Friday with a 6-9 p.m. reception.
“Ten Years and Counting” features works by artists frequently exhibited there over the decade, including LeeAnna Repass, Dennis Campay, Babak Emanuel, Virginia Parker, Sally Tharp, Patrick Johnson, Isaac Payne, William Entrekin, Stephen Bach, Mia Merlin, Carl Holzman, Steve Morrison, Barbara Fisher and William Mize.
“Fresh Blood” showcases up-and-coming regional artists.
The expansive, 24,000-square-foot gallery/event space is tucked back in an industrial area beside I-85 at Monroe Drive.
Through Aug. 2. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. 199 Armour Drive, Atlanta. www.masonmurer.com.
