Art Gallery 21 Wilton Manors Fl Board of Directors Managing Director

Art Gallery 21 occupies the renamed Island City Cultural Heart. [Courtesy]

By Marc Gave | New Pelican Writer

In its logo, Art Gallery 21, the non-profit exhibit space at 600 NE 21 Ct., calls itself "your neighborhood art gallery."

Indeed, every bit Matthew Dreger, board secretary and curator says, "Information technology'due south a nice venue for local artists to have gallery representation, for people who are learning a talent. Too oft in the art earth, you're either big and famous and make a lot of money or get pushed bated."

Founding member Constance Ruppender, who serves equally president and gallery manager, is quick to add, "We get anybody from beginning artists to Florida Consortium winners. It is our tenth year bringing art and cultural experiences to the Island City."

A young art lover at first show, 2012. [Courtesy]

She is not an artist herself simply has a background in non-profit business concern management and evolution, including cultural stalwarts ArtServe, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Lodge, and the Erstwhile Davie School Historical Museum.

"3 of us – the tardily Bob Gross, Celia Diaz, and I – had worked together at another venue. We'd meet a couple of times a year and talk about where we could observe a place to hang art. In 2011, I came here to the Adult female'southward Social club [now known as the Island Urban center Cultural Center], when the building had simply been deeded over to the city," said Ruppender.

When she saw the edifice'due south white walls, she began the procedure of creating a new gallery.

"I called my 'cohorts in crime' to come up and look at the building. We drafted a proposal to the urban center commission. The city did some updating to bring the building up to code and, in July 2012, nosotros opened our first show. We had 120 people come through the edifice that night, which blew u.s. away."

Since then, Art Gallery 21 has been in the forefront of bringing art to Wilton Manors, forth with other galleries, art walks, and public sculptures. There have been talks and workshops. And the building is condign a pop identify for groups to see.

The organization operates with a volunteer staff on a tiny budget. Grants accept come up from the Florida Humanities Council and Broward Cultural Sectionalisation. Revenue too comes from fine art sales and donations. Out of those, winning artists receive cash prizes, and a pocket-sized amount goes toward general expenses.

Art Gallery 21'south members program their exhibit year during the summertime months, when the doors are closed. Ruppender says, "We love to have our old artists back, only we're constantly looking for new ones with a variety in styles and subjects so we remain fresh."

Abel Marquez was the first-place winner of this year'south juried show. A number of his paintings – forth with those of second-identify winner Rob Saunders and the sculptures of third-identify winner Ron Schagrin – are in the gallery until January. 8.

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  Constance Ruppender in front of Barbie Pink swatch, 2019. [Courtesy]

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  The late Bob Gross in front of his portrait with Celia Diaz. [Courtesy]

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  aCopyright law workshop, 2013. [Courtesy]

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Later that, a show of notable, local women artists, called "No Man'due south State," will run from Jan. xv through Feb. 10.

The board takes requests via email from individuals and groups to accept their art exhibited, and calls to artists get out for themed shows, such equally next spring's "Nature in Art Photo Competition," which will be followed past the 2d annual Pride exhibit with ArtsUnited.

"We'll be doing our beginning public fundraiser on Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., a doll prove and sale. It follows on the popularity of the exhibit we did in 2019 for Barbie's 60th anniversary," said Ruppender. "Nosotros think large, kickoff pocket-size, and stay consistent with quality fine art. My goal has ever been to continue information technology minor. Something is to be said for small."

Small equally it might be, information technology looks similar 2022 will be a busy yr for Fine art Gallery 21.

Visit artgallery21.org for hours, full exhibit schedule, and additional information.

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Source: https://www.newpelican.com/articles/eye-on-art-art-gallery-21-a-small-space-that-takes-up-a-big-part-of-wilton-manors-art-scene/

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