by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
With their focus on Downtown, two different types of art businesses joined to become one.
Looney Ricks Kiss Architects Inc., an architecture and design firm on Bay Street, and Fogle Fine Art & Accessories collaborated and opened a new Downtown art gallery. The gallery is on the first floor of LRK’s four-story Bay Street building and is a satellite gallery for Fogle, whose primary location is at 3312 Beach Blvd.
Since Looney Ricks Kiss opened last fall, Leigh Fogle, co-owner of Fogle Fine Art & Accessories, has been showcasing the work of one artist in the space each month.
“This space is so beautiful with the white walls. It is a great space to show off the art work,” said Fogle. “And this gives us a way to be a part of Downtown.”
Leigh Gunn, head of interior design for LRK, and Fogle have worked together in the past on projects. Fogle said Gunn came to her and asked if she would be interested in making the first floor of Looney Ricks Kiss an art gallery.
“Mike Sullivan (principal of LRK) wants to help revitalize Downtown. He wants to be a part of Art Walk and a part of Downtown,” said Fogle. “Our core philosophy is that we believe we can do things to help the city.”
Fogle recently moved her business to Beach Boulevard from its previous location on Philips Highway. Fogle said she would have liked to have moved the company Downtown, but they couldn’t find the perfect space.
“We are both reaching out to be a part of the city,” she said.
Karie Kovacocy, a project manager with Looney Ricks Kiss, said one of the company’s philosophies is to serve the community.
“We want to be a part of Jacksonville,” she said. “When we teamed up with Leigh, it made a great marriage.”
Both Fogle and Kovacocy said their company’s goal is to bring more people to Bay Street for Art Walk because, right now, the main hub of the monthly festival is around Hemming Plaza.
“It takes time, but we are confident that as things continue to evolve, it (Art Walk) will keep expanding,” said Fogle. “We are also up for hosting private receptions.”
Fogle said she has been trying to coordinate Downtown events with the type of art she brings into the space. This month, artist Marsha Hammel’s work was displayed because a lot of her art work is about jazz music.
“I got Marsha’s work because of the Jazz Festival,” said Fogle. “I want to try and match artists with events as much as I can.”
Looney Ricks Kiss is also using one of the gallery’s walls to display some of its own work.
“It shows our artistic side because our project photos are art, too,” said Kovacocy. “We consider architecture one of the most public forms of art.”
The gallery will be open during Art Walk and by appointment only. For more information or to see the gallery contact Fogle Fine Art & Accessories at 296-1414.