An art gallery doesn't always have to be the stale, "keep your hands to yourself" environ where patrons, with arms determinedly folded before them in true viewing fashion, passively wander from one scene to the next. They can be quirky with intriguing medias; they can be informal where strict hours are not abided. They can be engaging where guests' participation is desired; they, in some cases, can be an artist's living room. As follows, with no particular order, is a brief sampling of art spaces available for your perusal in Lexington.
Wingspan Gallery
Husband and wife Carleton Wing and Livia Theodoli-Wing bring the neglected sense of taste to the artistic viewing experience at Wingspan Gallery. Every Thursday the couple play host to anywhere from two to 35 dining guests-all treated to a unique fixed-price, fixed-menu dinner of Livia's devise served in the gallery's front hall (menus are posted on their Web site at the beginning of each month). The formal gallery walls, which currently exhibit works by Bill Fletcher, juxtapose with the friendly sitting rooms adorned with Carleton's collage and assemblage pieces, create an invitingly aesthetic visit.
Gallery hours are by appointment (or you can take your chance with the bell out front) and reservations are required for the weekly dinner.
Gloria Singletary Gallery
Aside from finger-painting, it's hard to imagine children and an enjoyable artistic experience going hand-in-hand, but that mixture is part of the Gloria Singletary Gallery's charm. Located on the first floor of the Living Arts and Science Center, a renovated 1847 mansion near downtown Lexington that houses many educational adventures in art and science for young and old, the gallery's quality works are in fitting contrast to the science-fair type atmosphere spilling out into the hallways. Eight to 10 different exhibits are featured a year and summer classes for the youngsters begin in June, so nearly anybody will be able to find something of interest.
The gallery is participating in this month's Gallery Hop on June 20 with a reception from 5 - 8 p.m. "Animal Portraits: Paintings by Ken Hoffman" will be on display. Beginning July 21, the gallery will have a rotating exhibit of student artwork from the Living Arts and Science Center's summer art classes.
Latitude Artist Community
Art and community advocacy blend with natural affinity at Latitude Artist Community, an art therapy program for adults with mental disabilities. Here guests, also the exhibitors, are able to express themselves through the creative possibilities owners Crystal Bader and Bruce Burris have grown and nurtured for the past eight years.
Visitors are welcome to walk in during operating hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mon. - Fri.). For anybody that truly appreciates the catharsis of the artistic process, a visit to Latitude is one the most rewarding experiences offered.
Latitude is hosting an open house during this month's Gallery Hop on June 20 from 5 - 8 p.m. Aside from the individual artists' work on the walls, a group installation piece, titled "How We Saved the Mountain Kingdom Where Broke People Swim as Fish in Black Water," using products normally associated with disabilities ensnared in plant life will also be on display.
Hillbilly Chic
If you looked at Theo Edmonds' dossier, you might wonder how he finds the time or creative energy to run the Hillbilly Chic gallery on Manchester Street, but after spending a moment talking with the artist, you would realize that the man simply exudes art and this gallery, housed inside Cool Rooster Studios, is just one arm of he and his company's many imaginative outlets.
Here, in frenzied spatters, Edmonds' prolific works of art are on display-each a colorful exploration of the hillbilly subculture. The space is also used for others to exhibit their work or follow any other artistic pursuit, be it visual performance art or opera. A real creative incubator, perhaps the gallery is the progenitor for the bustling bohemia planned for the Manchester corridor. Call for an appointment to see for yourself.
Cross Gate Gallery
When you think of the horse capital of the world, there are few things quite so iconic as the scenes of "sporting art," that particular genre of art focused on thoroughbred racing and fox hunting, for example. This is the genre in which Cross Gate Gallery specializes, and about 15 artists are featured at the gallery, including three sculptors.
Started as a framing business by the Ladd family 34 years ago, Cross Gate's offerings have grown to include prominent international artists such as Andre Pater and husband and wife duo Valeriy and Katya Gridnev. The gallery will exhibit a selection of the Gridnevs' work through June 13. Though the gallery still claims sporting art as its specialty, the work of the Gridnevs is a pleasant departure; their best-known series features portraits of ballerinas. Stop by during business hours (Mon. - Fri. 9a.m. - 5:30p.m. and Sat. 9a.m. - 1p.m.)
Gallery B
Gallery B features a wide variety of art and media, from Kentucky landscapes on canvas to a selection of bronzes. Gallery B truly does have something for everyone whether you want to pick something up from a local artist or prefer to commission a family portrait.
The gallery offers custom framing services and is also the exclusive Lexington retailer for jewelry designed and created by the White Horse Studio in Paris, Ky. Coming soon to Gallery B: "Hip to be Square," an exhibit of submissions on square canvases. The pieces must include "Kentucky features" such as the colors "UK blue" and "Maker's Mark red," horseshoes and wine bottles. Pieces will be sold for $350 and under. Gallery B participates in Gallery Hops and is also open Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:30p.m. and Sat. 10a.m. - 4p.m.
Balatro
Not everyone knows what treasures hide on the second floor of the Dudley Square building at the corner of Mill and Maxwell. Just up the stairs from Dudley's Restaurant and The Massage Center is a gallery that might best be described as a toy store for art-loving adults. A larger-than-life robot greets guests from behind a bright desk at Balatro, which is the Latin word for "court jester."
Explore either of the gallery's two main spaces and experience dimensional art in the form of vintage luggage, sculpture, handmade furniture and the works on canvas that adorn the walls. Gallery owner Bobby Freisberg shares his mantra that "art must be fun" as he describes design choices inside the gallery, such as red lacquered floors and a spiral staircase laced with wood and steel, which both surround and enhance the art. Visit Balatro during a Gallery Hop, or stop by to see a rotating selection of pieces by international artists. Call for hours.
Lexington Art League
In addition to being "Lexington's oldest and largest visual arts organization," the Lexington Art League has been consistently dedicated to arts education and joining the public at large with the arts community. Not only does the league offer exhibits and host the popular "Fourth Friday" events each month, they offer lectures as another opportunity for the public to engage in the arts and conversations with artists. Curious visitors can also take a peek into artists' studios for a glimpse at the creative process.
Perhaps as much as the league offers, it is programs such as the award-winning Side-by-Side partnership with Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center that demonstrate the true devotion of the league to practical art. Side-by-Side pairs artists with children who suffer from various disabilities in order to provide a forum for physical and emotional development through art they create together. One of the Lexington Art League's premier events for the year is the Woodland Arts Fair, which takes place each August. Regular hours are Tues. - Fri. 10a.m. - 4p.m., Sat. and Sun. 1p.m. - 4p.m. Call or visit the Web site for special events and lectures.