personal preference art : BAMA Galleries in uptown Hoboken
The art is always on view at BAMA Galleries, a space filled with natural light from the glass windows that frame the gallery.
Hoboken resident and owner Chris Burkhardt intends to elevate the community through art. He envisions Hoboken as a hub for incoming artists from around the world. The art he picks is reflective of the work he admires and the world he is trying to create.
BAMA Galleries at 936 Bloomfield St. opened in the fall of 2001, not long after 9/11. It was originally titled B.A.M.A., (Burkhardt's Art Materials and Atelier) until Burkhardt realized that his dream of a basement art supply store with a ground-level studio was unrealistic.
Accordingly, he removed the periods from the name, and BAMA was born. The two full sides of windows frame the inside of the gallery, while light wood floors enhance the room's spare lines. The artwork adorning the walls imbues the space with a sophisticated ambiance.
A curator chooses
While Burkhardt is proud of the community's achievements; he shies away from showing only local artists. One of his goals is to introduce outside artists in order to influence and inspire local talent. The process of selecting art for the gallery juxtaposes personal preference and strict business decisions. Burkhardt must consider the demographics in deciding what will sell.
"However, the buck stops at my preference," said Burkhardt. "Do I appreciate it, enjoy it? It's a big gamble."
The deliberation is difficult and the show's success is often based on chance.
"You're judged on the job and have to be able to take criticism," said Burkhardt. "I've stopped taking it personally. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't."
It must be working. BAMA is currently focusing on a new tier of higher end collectors. The gallery is moving towards displaying paintings in the $5,000-$15,000 range.
An art gallery offers significant benefits to Hoboken residents.
According to Burkhardt, it not only cultivates their artistic knowledge, but also elevates the stature of the community. He believes it is a testament to the community's investment in itself as well as its awareness of the world and current events.
Burkhardt is happy to bring this to Hoboken's burgeoning art community.
By: Jacqueline Beach,
Hoboken resident and owner Chris Burkhardt intends to elevate the community through art. He envisions Hoboken as a hub for incoming artists from around the world. The art he picks is reflective of the work he admires and the world he is trying to create.
BAMA Galleries at 936 Bloomfield St. opened in the fall of 2001, not long after 9/11. It was originally titled B.A.M.A., (Burkhardt's Art Materials and Atelier) until Burkhardt realized that his dream of a basement art supply store with a ground-level studio was unrealistic.
Accordingly, he removed the periods from the name, and BAMA was born. The two full sides of windows frame the inside of the gallery, while light wood floors enhance the room's spare lines. The artwork adorning the walls imbues the space with a sophisticated ambiance.
A curator chooses
While Burkhardt is proud of the community's achievements; he shies away from showing only local artists. One of his goals is to introduce outside artists in order to influence and inspire local talent. The process of selecting art for the gallery juxtaposes personal preference and strict business decisions. Burkhardt must consider the demographics in deciding what will sell.
"However, the buck stops at my preference," said Burkhardt. "Do I appreciate it, enjoy it? It's a big gamble."
The deliberation is difficult and the show's success is often based on chance.
"You're judged on the job and have to be able to take criticism," said Burkhardt. "I've stopped taking it personally. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't."
It must be working. BAMA is currently focusing on a new tier of higher end collectors. The gallery is moving towards displaying paintings in the $5,000-$15,000 range.
An art gallery offers significant benefits to Hoboken residents.
According to Burkhardt, it not only cultivates their artistic knowledge, but also elevates the stature of the community. He believes it is a testament to the community's investment in itself as well as its awareness of the world and current events.
Burkhardt is happy to bring this to Hoboken's burgeoning art community.
By: Jacqueline Beach,
posted by awesome at 9:46 PM
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