WORDS Andrea Jean PHOTO Bell + Bragg
You don’t meet a lot of people who truly believe in “art for art’s sake” but Brad Bell does. Speak with him for five minutes about creativity, art and surroundings and you know he just gets it. That “it” is what makes Bell + Bragg so refreshing. Design duo Brad Bell (2008 AU Architecture Graduate) and Wife Amy Bell (Architect at Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood) opened their gallery in 2012. The gallery lives at 420 S Gay St. in Auburn, right down the block from local hotspot Amsterdam Café, incubating the local art scene. Oh and I almost forgot to mention, you can buy the art too…
What led you to open a Gallery in Auburn?
Last year around this time we were sharing our space with two other folks. A local artist was using our basement as his studio and our storefront was a clothing boutique run by a local fashion designer. The creative energy was extremely contagious. After they both moved on to explore their passions elsewhere, we decided that the ever-changing exhibit and installation space would be a great fit.
How do you choose the artists you show at the gallery?
Some of our shows are highly curated and planned to a T. Others are completely spontaneous and happen when an artist comes by to share their new works with us or needs space to photograph their work. We have shows up to four weeks and pop-up shows that only last one night. We like to keep it fresh and unexpected. Our current exhibit, “After All,” is a solo show by local artist, RC Hagens. RC’s work is heavily influenced by contemporary street art, but primarily stencil graffiti.
Explain the thought process and inspiration for the gallery and the art you sell?
Whether it’s experimental paintings, haptic installations or delicate 3-D pieces, we like to show contemporary and progressive work. Our gallery is as much about the culture and incubating the local art scene as it is about selling art. It’s more of an interactive space - somewhere between the student pin-up space and curated museum.
How does one go about getting on your mailing list?
Come see a show, chat with us and sign our guest book.
www.facebook.com/BellBragg