Momentum Moves Into Summer

Shifra and Jordan Ahlers stand tall in their new space.
Photo by Rachel Pressley

Established just four years ago on Lexington Avenue, Momentum Gallery has already moved to a much larger space at 52 Broadway, where it opened its new 15,000-square-foot space on March 15 with five solo shows. Gallery owner Jordan Ahlers is continuing this aggressive schedule by announcing five more special exhibits that will take place in the third quarter.

One will be a solo show of Corten steel sculptures by Hoss Haley, Asheville’s premier public sculptor best known locally for creating the outdoor-stage pergola and fountain at Pack Square Park. Says Ahlers, “This show will feature several large-scale sculptures for outdoors [similar] to Hoss’s works that were recently acquired by the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and the Mint Museum in Charlotte.”

CURB APPEAL
High visibility on Broadway is an important perk of the gallery’s new location.
Photo by Rachel Pressley 

Three other solo shows are also planned for the coming months, also by heavy hitters in their respective genres: contemporary landscape oil paintings by Mariella Bisson; glass and steel sculptures by John Littleton and Kate Vogel; and original prints, collages, and paintings by Bill Hall. 

Additionally, a group show titled Nocturne will explore the narrative of the night. “As the sun goes down, our heightened senses and imagination fill in details that fall into shadow,” says Ahlers, promising an intriguing show.

Speaking of the sun, Ahlers points out, “The gallery is completely powered by solar energy, generated by a large solar panel array on our roof. Momentum strives to be energy conscious with LED lights, energy efficient appliances, and more. We make daily choices to use recycled paper, biodegradable packing peanuts, etc.”

The multimedia panel installation All Nature is a Reflection of Time, right, by Michael Janis and Tim Tate, is an example of the progressive, world-class work in glass featured at Momentum. 
Photo by Rachel Pressley

The venue represents museum-level work from around 70-80 artists, some of whom have been with the gallery since its inception. One of these is Crystal Gregory, whose works explore the relationship and resulting tension between industrial materials (metal, drywall, concrete, glass, for example) and patterned textiles. Another is Samantha Bates, who says Ahlers contacted her when she was at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. He was drawn to her paintings that invite (almost require) the viewer to linger over the countless dashes, strokes, stitches, holes, and other elements the artist incorporates, in order to see the images emerge.

Bates says, “I was finding my footing as an emerging artist with a few shows, but nothing long term, when I received [Jordan’s] e-mail. I remember reading it vividly — and also the following two-hour conversation we had. His read on my work was so thoughtful and spot on. I hoped this was going to be everything I was working for. And it has been.”

With the pandemic ever so slowly receding in the U.S., Ahlers says he’s looking forward to getting back to hosting more events and receptions. “We’ll be bringing in some new artists,” he reveals, “and we have plans to collaborate with major institutions to broaden exposure for the gallery, with the artists we represent, and with the Asheville arts scene in general.”

He observes, “It has been a great move for us. We are so pleased with the response we’re getting to the new location.”

Momentum Gallery, 52 Broadway, Asheville. Hours are 10am–6pm Monday through Saturday, and noon–5pm on Sunday. Private tours are available both during and outside regular hours. For more information and exhibit updates, call 828-505-8550 or see momentumgallery.com

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