A new art space opens in Needham Center
By Denise Taylor, Globe Correspondent
Kalman Gacs is not a fly-by-night kind of guy. While organizing an art show for Needham Open Studios this spring, the 27-year-old sculptor and art teacher refused to set an end date for the exhibition. Instead, a different question came to mind: ‘‘I thought, why not make it a permanent gallery?’’ said Gacs.
So he did.
On May 2, True Art Gallery opened its doors in Needham Center. The 2,000-square-foot storefront formerly occupied by Closet Exchange clothing consignment store now houses a cheery art space. Hanging on its freshly painted white and cranberry red walls is ‘‘The Inaugural Exhibition,’’ which presents work by 13 area artists. Weekdays, artist-in-residence Danielle Festa can be seen painting there.
The gallery’s long-range plans (pending permit approvals) include hosting art workshops, author readings, film screenings, and a changing selection of art. On Saturday, it presents a benefit concert for a nonprofit climate action group, 350.org, featuring the classical guitarists of Duo Orfeo and an acoustic show by members of Plugged In, a Needham-based teen jam-band program.
‘‘It happened really fast. At the end of March, we had an agreement with the landlord, and by May 2, we were open. But I’ve always thought a gallery would be great in Needham,’’ said Gacs. ‘‘There are so many artists in Needham. There were 55 in Open Studios this year. So it seemed like it would be a good idea to support them.’’
Gacs graduated from Needham High School in 2000 and went on to earn a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in sculpture as well as a master’s in art education at Boston University. He now is a resident artist at Needham High, and teaches in the school system’s after-school program.
A freelance curator, he recently organized an environmentally themed art show at Wellesley College, ‘‘Climate Change Artists,’’ and is working on a similar project with 350.org, which was founded by author and activist Bill McKibben.
For Gacs, art and art galleries are a means to draw together a community and spur change as well as venues for individual expression.
‘‘Potentially, I’d like to see different community groups coming in and making art projects together so the gallery could be a springboard for activity around town,’’ said Gacs. ‘‘Art can really help people engage in things they care about, and I’d love for the gallery to help people express themselves and to help create a stage for people to express themselves.’’
He hopes to place a particular emphasis on involving elders and youths.
‘‘I think it would be really good for us to reach out to the younger population in the town, and for parents to think of this as a place to bring their kids,’’ said Gacs. ‘‘There are also so many elder and retired persons in Needham and it would be great to have them exhibiting and participating in the gallery as well.’’
Gacs said he curated the gallery’s debut show to include ‘‘something for everyone.’’ Works range from the real and imagined landscapes of featured painter Evelyn Bernal of Needham to the whimsical steel sculptures of Alex Belozersky of Brookline. In a nod to the price-conscious, works will be offered both as originals and as archival quality prints.
Meanwhile, Gacs is busy working on permits, planning the next show, and spreading the word that the gallery is open. ‘‘People are slowly realizing that we’re here,’’ said Gacs. ‘‘And if things work out, we’ll be here for a while.’’
Benefit concert for 350.org with Duo Orfeo and Plugged In is Saturday, 6:30 p.m., at True Art Gallery, 70 Chestnut St., Needham Center. Suggested donation: $6. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 617-642-7740, www.trueartgalleries.com; www.myspace.com/duoorfeo; www.pluggedinband.org.
Comment
Permalink
E-mail
Waiting for Twitter to feed in the latest...