Gallery 803 now open
New gallery showcases art and furniture
Jeanne Fronda Staff
Forget the stereotypical notion of an art gallery, where paintings hang in dwellings with long, vacant hallways and have spaces so immaculate you’d think they were part of a sterile, untainted hospital environment. There’s a new gallery in town that’s sure to make you feel like you’re lounging around in your PJs in your own home rather than viewing art in a traditional art space.
Gallery 803 or 803 Gallery — the name can be said either way — is located within a furniture showroom of Elan Designs. The company designs and manufactures high-end furniture, but also showcases local artwork by hanging it on the walls of its showroom.
Director Janice Rosen said the new gallery is one way to introduce fine art to some people who are not familiar with the art world.
“I found it frustrating for some of my clients [who] felt scared to be surrounded by art and nothing else,” said Rosen. “People [can be] overwhelmed with the decision to buy art and not understand what they were looking for.
“We have all this space . . . and you can blend your art with furniture, and it doesn’t have to match. . . [it just has to be] something you love.”
Since all their furniture is shown in white, such as white boucle (sofas and chairs), and the walls are dark, any artwork shown in the gallery inevitably stands out.
With a focus on up-and-coming artists and local artists, Gallery 803 is also a place where the owners don’t feel a lot of pressure to sell the work right away.
“It takes a lot of pressure off . . . you pay a lot for overhead for space in the downtown area,” she said. “Here is an established place and [the art] piggybacks on the furniture . . . and [it can] be true to itself . . . . We can put out art without being nail-biting worried about it.”
Artist and future curator of the gallery Collin Zipp agreed that because the gallery is also part of a showroom, it’s probably a cozier area to view work.
“It’s very comfortable and it doesn’t feel like a gallery,” said Zipp. “It will definitely help people not be scared [to search for art]. I think [Gallery 803] is a different environment and more enclosed.
“It’s not as cluttered, not that commercial galleries are cluttered. But people who aren’t used to going to art galleries [will notice] the soft lighting.”
In addition to the unique space, Gallery 803 also has an online gallery, which will be an extension of the physical gallery but will also showcase other works.
“The online gallery will have a little more freedom and more of a contemporary feel. The online gallery also means we can showcase more artists at once,” said Zipp. “I think we have a bit of freedom and more exciting things. We’re not really worried about paying the bills. Almost all or a good percentage of the money goes to the artists.”
They had thought of several names and many seemed irrelevant and forced, said Rosen. One name considered was Abandoned, but they opted against it because of its obviously negative connotation. 803 was chosen because it’s the gallery’s address: 803 Erin Street.
But whatever the gallery name, local artists can rest assured that there’s a great new place where the viewing public can behold these masterpieces. Besides, it’s a new way for laid-back art lovers to enjoy work: from the comfort of the couch.
