by donald dusinberre imartsyfartsy@gmail.com
There’s a new art gallery in town, kids. It’s the Bogda Gallery, located in Riverside on McDuff Avenue South. Bogda is pronounced Bog like Fog, Da like Duh, with the accent on the first syllable. Gallery like…well…schmallery.
Bogda is in its third month of life, and it’s sooo cute. Occupying the storefront-style space on a converted house, the gallery practically sits alone on the street, appearing lonely and eager for visitors. It doesn’t boast a whole lot of wall space, but it’s all used efficiently to display quite a few pieces.
Unveiling a new show at the beginning of each month, the Bogda Gallery focuses on showcasing the work of local artists. This month’s exhibition features work from more than 10 artists, including Shaun Thurston, Leslie Loofbourow, Nick D’Agostine, Rachel Durante, Brenda Kato, Annie Lechak, Byron King, and Jason Leader. On display (and for sale) are paintings, metal sculptures, drawings, clothing, and even stuffed toys.
What I liked about Bogda was it’s down-to-earth atmosphere. Sometimes, in order to feel popular and successful (or just to pay the bills), art galleries feel the need to attract a wider audience, and they tailor the look of their space. They’re too afraid to display art that someone may dislike, which leads them to display work that doesn’t garner a strong reaction at all. If anything is required of a work of art, it is that it must stir something- anything- in the viewer. You can’t go on looks alone, neither with the gallery nor the art that hangs in it. Bogda seemed approachable without trying to mask the desperation that plagues too many other galleries. Their honest desperation is what made it feel fresh and capable of hosting some great art.
I was also a little impressed with their sense of inclusiveness. Too often, that means displaying work by anyone who has ever plundered Reddi-Arts for a pre-stretched canvas and a variety pack of acrylic paints, but for Bogda it means displaying more than just high art media. With an equal amount of props to the artists who made the clothing and toys at the show, Bogda gets props for including them in the show at all. It proves that they’re interested in the flexibility and pragmatism of art. I hope they permanently offer the clothing, toys, and paintings somewhere in the gallery, even though the participants in each month’s featured show will change.
Although they masterfully utilized every foot of wall space, stacking paintings right to the ceiling, I wish I could have looked at some of them a little more closely. I usually like to get real close to the surface of a painting to examine its texture and thickness, so having some paintings above eye level and out of reach was frustrating. Perhaps focusing on fewer artists would help.
Each artist had just the right number of pieces displayed, giving us the ability to discern the artists’ range and style, so they might have benefited from a more ergonomical and dedicated display.
All in all, I suggest giving the Bogda Gallery a try. Keep checking each month for new showings. They’re open to showing work from all corners of the arts, so you’re bound to see something that’ll stir you. After all, the artwork is what makes a gallery worth visiting.
Visit the Bogda Gallery at 1253 McDuff Avenue South. Business hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm. The Bogda Gallery is eager to accept artwork from local artists, so call (904) 387-0852 or email Joy McGinnis at shopbogda@gmail.com for more information on showing your work.
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