by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Located on the second floor in Independent Square, Gallery L is the successor to Viscosity Gallery. Paul Ladnier, a University of North Florida professor and artist, operates the new venture.
“The owner of the building [Henry Pratt] approached me and asked if I would like to do something with the space,” said Ladnier. “Capital Partners [which manages the building] had a vision to commit this space to visual arts. I suggested we make it into a gallery. The arrangement is I can use the space however I want and I give back to the community by supporting arts programs in the area. They’re just happy the building is decorated.”
Works by children from LaVilla School of the Arts, Douglas Anderson and HEROES Gallery will be on exhibit. There also will be works by national and local, emerging artists. Ladnier also plans to display the work of his former students.
Four other exhibits are tentatively scheduled for 2003. Currently, Ladnier has 30 or so of his own contemporary paintings dotting the walls in the gallery and down the corridor, which will remain through January. He intends to rotate pieces monthly. February will likely feature endeavors by area high school students.
“It’s a lovely space with enough room to hang 50 paintings at any given time,” said Ladnier. “Downtown is starting to explode with condos and new businesses moving in. There’s a new focus on art. Many galleries are opening. I’m part of a cog in the wheel that hopefully will make a contribution to the arts in Jacksonville.”
Ladnier teaches painting, drawing and the history of graphic design at UNF. He has also taught illustration and design and has been selling his work out of his home studio for decades. What he doesn’t have is experience operating a gallery.
“I’ve exhibited in many galleries, but this is an interesting learning process for me,” he said. “I’m having to learn about insurance. I’m having to learn all over about hanging exhibitions and presenting art work. We built these walls specifically for this space so we could keep it clean and simple. This is an exhibition space without a lot of formality. We’re unconventional in that the gallery is out of the way and is not commercially motivated, even though the works are for sale.”
Gallery L will not be limited to two dimensional creations. Sculpture and ceramics can be shown in the enclosed gallery, in the display case around the corner or in the second floor hallways. At this point, the gallery is open on an appointment-only basis.
Nationally known artists from Nashville, Seattle, Sarasota and Los Angeles are scheduled to have exhibitions in 2003. Next November, the gallery will feature an exhibition by a man who instructed Ladnier at the Ringling School of Art 30 years ago.
Formerly a painter of figurative works, Ladnier has branched out to portray less representational styles. His artistic interpretations were drastically altered by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“I’m finding a balance between abstract and naturalistic paintings,” said Ladnier. “Naturalistic paintings, in general, sell better. I’m experimenting with paint and the potential of painting. Like everybody else, Sept. 11 jolted me. It triggered me artistically to move in another direction.”
The gallery opened in November and Ladnier plans to remain there for at least three years. He hopes to start a downtown art gallery night where guests can visit other galleries, possibly by trolley.
“This may not be a forum to make money,” he said. “Sending out invitations and hosting openings are costly. Especially when doing openings for these high school kids, that’s costly. How will I afford that? Maybe the sale of paintings. Because this is a gallery for the community, I’ve tried to work out a percentage commission if artists in here make a sale, but there’s no way selling high school art work will cover expenses.”
To help defray the costs of keeping the artwork in the public eye, Ladnier has applied for grants through UNF and will approach the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville for additional funding.