by donald dusinberre imartsyfartsy@gmail.com
Located just off Hemming plaza in downtown Jacksonville, the Laura Street Gallery is a small space with big ideas. I recently visited the gallery and spoke with one of the three partners, Joanelle Mulrain. She spoke enthusiastically about the downtown area, the rising art culture in Jacksonville, and the capabilities of their own gallery.
When I asked how the Gallery came to be, she described it as a coming together of people and circumstances that seem eerily connected in a way that could be described as fate or serendipity. As a result of a detailed and complicated series of events, the gallery came into being with its founding artists acknowledging two distinct focal points. One is nature and its preservation, while the other is downtown Jacksonville and its rejuvenation. Mulrain’s work is on the walls and accompanied by the work of her partners, Jeff Davis and Rhyan Taylor.
Each partner creates artwork that directly addresses one of those two focal points. Jeff Davis specializes in photographic images of Jacksonville’s skyline and prominent physical features. The photos are black and white images retouched with color in select areas. Mulrain’s large-scale paintings are close-up studies of nature, including a penchant for cattails and waterfowl. Rhyan Taylor paints nature landscapes in a textural, painterly style reminiscent of Van Gogh. Both Mulrain and Taylor have an intense interest in the natural beauty of our area and are committed to preserving it through their work.
The Laura Street Gallery is a bastion of determination. They are determined to be one of the cornerstones for downtown’s continued economic development, and they are determined to make Jacksonville a base for successful artists. Mulrain explained that one of the main purposes of the gallery was to help Jacksonville become a city of flourishing artists, not just emerging artists. She likens the presence of construction to the new possibilities for a community. Wherever there are cranes, there is growth. Wherever there is growth, there is a need for art to cover the walls.
Artists may apply to rent space to display their own work, and the operating partners plan to execute many ideas to engage their patrons and community. The scene within the gallery will likely change often, so visit often to find out what’s new.
At 209 Laura Street, The Laura Street Gallery is just a block from the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). It is sure to be an interesting new spot to visit during Jacksonville’s monthly ArtWalk, and if you’re in the area at any other time, check out what they’ve got on display. There will be times when you can’t go in, as it is open by appointment only, but it’s worth a try. Even if you don’t have an appointment, someone may be there to let you in.
You can also visit the Laura Street Gallery online at laurastreetgallery.com. To learn more about the individual partners, go to their personal websites: Jeff Davis - legalartworks.com, Joanelle Mulrain - greatblueheronstudios.com, and Rhyan Taylor - rhyantaylor.com.
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