New art gallery to open in Chestnut Hill today

 

Residents passing by what was once Intermission at 8405 Germantown Avenue may be surprised at what is taking its place. Gravers Lane Gallery, an art gallery featuring many art mediums from several different artists, is set to open its doors to the public today at 10 am.

Management team

The brainchild of Ken Goldenberg, Mike Tracy and Robert L. Smith, the gallery is housed in the 2000-square-foot-building owned by Goldenberg, who also owned Intermission, a music-centric store. To help round out the roster, the trio brought in Amse Hammershaimb, a veteran of 14 years with plenty of experience in the field.

 

What’s inside

“Chestnut Hill has been known for having galleries,” Hammershaimb said, referring the numerous craft, photo and galleries throughout the neighborhood. “(But) I don’t think anyone is doing quite what were doing.”

She said that there have been few attempts in the neighborhood to bring artists of such caliber and such a broad range to one place.

With the likes of Italian-American artist Felice Saldutti, sculptor Tim Murdoch, jeweler Chihiro Makio and glass worker Carrie Gustafson, Hammershaimb hopes for success. “We’re taking a chance on the artists and they’re taking a chance on us,” she said.

“We’re hoping to draw people from outside of Chestnut Hill,” Tracy said.

Saldutti will be the first artist to be featured in an artist reception at the gallery on Friday, April 8. He currently has nine pieces being held at the gallery. Gatherings will be hosted once a month at the gallery to feature a selected artist’s work.

 

Can I afford to walk in?

Works featured at the gallery have price tags ranging from $45 to $10,000, Hammershaimb said.

 

Soft Opening

The transformation of the space from Intermission to Gravers Gallery was relatively easy, said Tracy.

“We took what was here and we rearranged it,” added Hammershaimb.

That’s not to say that everything is picture perfect yet. Plans to install a skylight are in the making, and will be fulfilled in about three months. Today is what the owners describe as a soft opening with a grand opening planned for later.

Gravers Lane Gallery will operate between Wednesdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. until no later than 7 p.m., except during special artist features.