Susan Barrett, above left, founder of projects+gallery has announced that she is changing the focus of her gallery at 4733 McPherson. After 10 years hosting wonderfully unusual exhibitions that piqued our imaginations and drew a fashionable crowd, the gallery will cease hosting those fantastic shows. The press release that follows explains this new chapter.
The photograph above shows Barrett with Ms. Lana Turner, right, who was featured in artist Dario Calmese’s 2018 exhibition Amongst Friends.
Senior Director of projects+gallery Bridget Melloy, middle, is photographed with Rikki Byrd, left, and Kelly Peck, right, at 2019’s exhibition, Fashioning the Black Body.
Melloy explained that while the gallery is closed, it will be open by appointment to view artwork that remains in the gallery’s inventory. Meanwhile, Susan Barrett’s other gallery, Barrett Barrera Projects, 4737 McPherson, will continue touring their museum exhibitions and offering art consulting services.
More photos from past exhibitions follow the press release:
More projects, less gallery…
| This year marks the 10th anniversary of projects+gallery. Since opening in 2014, we have presented exhibitions and experimental programs that challenged expectations and invited our community to engage with artwork by emerging and established artists from across the globe. Many of the artists we exhibited early in their careers have gone on to experience major art world acclaim; we are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented creators and offer significant artworks to our collectors.
As we enter our 10th year, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and also think carefully about what is next. What seems like a century’s worth of change has occurred in the last ten years as world events laid bare the hidden weaknesses of numerous industries, including the obsolescence of foundational elements of the art world and the ability for small and mid-size galleries to exist within the larger arts ecosystem. Our program was able to engage audiences through openings and events but proved unsustainable as a commercial gallery operating in St. Louis. For that reason, projects+gallery is closing its doors. Our remaining artwork inventory will be available online at Artsy and 1stdibs and through direct inquiry. My gratitude is with my team, both past and present, and the countless contributions they have made to growing and operating projects+gallery. I am incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished together. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to the artists and curators who have been extraordinary sources of inspiration and collaboration through the last 10 years. Without their partnership and trust, our program could not have existed. I still believe art can change the world, but perhaps not in a gallery format in St. Louis. Barrett Barrera Projects will continue operating and serving the needs of our museum clients, private collections management clients, and working on a project and consultancy basis. We are operating with the mindset of “more projects, less gallery.” Over the next few weeks, we will be looking back at the exhibitions and select special projects presented at projects+gallery on our social channels. Thank you for an amazing 10 years at 4733 McPherson and we look forward to continuing our work at Barrett Barrera Projects. Susan Barrett |
It was a wonderful 10 years for those who were able to enjoy the experience of attending exhibitions at projects+gallery, and for that we are grateful. Thank you to Susan, Bridget, and the other curators who brought such unique artists to the CWE and left such wonderful memories behind.